ASHEVILLE, N.C., (828newsNOW) — An Asheville man will serve at least 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to statutory rape.
Christopher Murray Upshaw, 34, pleaded guilty in Buncombe County Superior Court on Monday to statutory rape of a child under the age of 15, a class B1 felony, and was sentenced to 20-29 years in prison, a news release from the district attorney’s office said.
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office initiated a sex crimes investigation after receiving a report about a sexual assault involving a juvenile victim on March 30, 2023, the news release said. Buncombe County Department of Social Services identified Upshaw as the suspect and a search warrant was executed on his home. Upshaw was arrested after the search.
Upshaw was convicted of felony child abuse in McDowell County in 2011, the news reelase said.
Upshaw was ordered to have no contact with the victim for the remainder of his life and to register as a sexual offender for 30 years.
The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office asks anyone who has been a victim of a sex crime to contact the Family Justice Center ( 828-250-6900) or Our Voice (828-252-0562) for help.