HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A former Henderson County school board member and nonprofit founder was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of statutory sexual offense involving a minor, according to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael Lee Absher, 35, of East Flat Rock, was taken into custody following a search warrant executed by the department’s Special Investigations Unit. The arrest followed a report of sexual assaults involving juveniles, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Absher is the founder of Only Hope WNC, a nonprofit organization that assists homeless teens in the region.
He was charged with two counts of statutory sexual offense with a person 15 years old or younger. Under North Carolina law, the offense is a Class B1 felony if the alleged victim is 15 or younger and the defendant is at least six years older and not lawfully married to the victim.
A magistrate set Absher’s bond at $300,000.
Authorities said the case remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Special Investigations Unit at 828-694-5714 or use the “submit a tip” feature on the sheriff’s office mobile app.