Prosecutors Demand Court Deny Christopher Lee’s Requests to Suppress Evidence, Split Charges

The United States Government has filed a flurry of court documents in the case of alleged child abuser Christopher Lee, asking a federal judge to deny several of Lee’s requests.

Lee, the former CEO of the Boal Mansion Museum in Boalsburg, has been awaiting trial in federal custody since his October arrest. Lee has asked the court to split his case into two separate trials and to keep certain pieces of evidence out of the courtroom – but prosecutors say both requests “are entirely without merit.”

Lee is accused of bringing foreign minors into the country with intent to molest them, coercing and enticing minors into sexual activity, producing and possessing child pornography and tampering with evidence.

Lee’s attorney, Kyle Rude, has argued in court filings that the child pornography allegations should be tried separately from the rest of the charges. Rude says the jury will be prejudiced against Lee if all charges are tied together.

But in new court documents filed this week, prosecutors argue each charge is directly connected to the others. Investigators say Lee allegedly brought foreign minors into the country, which led to him coercing some of them into taking explicit photos, which led to him molesting at least one teenage boy, culminating with Lee trying to hide evidence after the FBI began its investigation.

Prosecutors also ask United States Judge Mathew Brann to deny Lee’s request to suppress evidence.

Rude says some evidence gathered from Lee’s computer and phone were improperly obtained by law enforcement without probable cause. Prosecutors disagree, claiming investigators demonstrated sufficient cause to suspect Lee possessed child pornography and obtain their warrants.

Lee is currently slated to head to trial on July 6, but prosecutors are asking for more time to prepare. Lee’s trial was originally scheduled for December, but has been delayed several times.

In court documents, federal attorneys say “a critical government witness” will not be available until August.  Prosecutors ask that the court reschedule the trial for sometime between August 17 and 31.