ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Buncombe County man will serve a minimum of 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted statutory sex offense with a child under the age of 15, District Attorney Todd Williams announced Tuesday.
Christopher Lee Allison, 41, was sentenced to 125 to 210 months in state custody as part of a plea agreement accepted in Buncombe County Superior Court. The case stems from a 2023 incident in which Allison, then living with the victim’s family as the mother’s boyfriend, sexually abused the child, authorities said.
Allison was arrested in February 2024 after the child disclosed the abuse to her mother and a school counselor, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim and her mother were in court and supported the plea agreement. Both gave impact statements describing the emotional toll of the abuse.
In addition to the prison sentence, Allison must register as a sex offender for 30 years and is under a permanent no-contact order with the victim.
“This case underscores our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” Williams said in a statement. “We commend the courage of the victim and her mother, whose bravery in coming forward allowed us to hold Mr. Allison accountable.”