Harris County deputy says she was assaulted by a wanted felon; family reveals the two were dating

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A wanted felon is accused of assaulting a Harris County Deputy, whose family members say were in a dating relationship.

The felon, 40-year-old Kenerick Lee, was most recently arrested in Oklahoma. However, the latest assault incident allegedly happened at his apartment in north Harris County.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is being vague about the case, but court records and sources are shedding light on the incident.

Just weeks ago, Lee was arrested in Oklahoma on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a controlled drug without a prescription.

However, on Thursday morning, investigators say he was at his apartment in north Harris County when an emergency call came in from a woman at the same location.

Records show that when deputies arrived, neither Lee nor the caller was at the complex.

Authorities called the woman to return to the scene, and when she returned, sources say, investigators confirmed she was an off-duty sheriff's deputy. Lee had reportedly taken her law enforcement equipment, which included her duty pistol, body armor, radio, belt, and Taser.

Sources say deputies contacted the leaseholder of Lee's apartment, which led them to a home on Rawley in Fifth Ward. One of his relatives said she had discovered a bag with all the stolen equipment on the porch.

On Friday, HCSO issued the following statement:

On Thursday, April 17, an off-duty Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy reported she had been assaulted by a male acquaintance who had possession of her duty equipment, including her firearm and body armor. The male later returned the items, and he now faces an assault charge. The incident remains under investigation.

Multiple sources tell ABC13 that Lee was in the Harris County Jail at the same time the deputy was a jailer, though it's unknown how long they have been dating. She only recently graduated from the academy and is still on probation. ABC13 is not naming her because she has not been charged or disciplined.

HCSO policy prohibits employees from "affiliating with a person who is known to have a criminal history." Lee's criminal history goes back more than two decades and includes stints in prison.

Before the assault incident, Lee was wanted by the US Marshals Service, ABC13 has learned.

Harris County says the deputy is not on administrative leave, and nobody answered the door Friday at her listed address.