HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Michael Lee Absher, 35, a former Henderson County School Board member, was arrested and charged with two counts of statutory sexual offense with someone 15 years old or younger, the Henderson County Sheriff's Department said.
The sheriff's office said on Thursday, July 31, a search warrant was executed at a home in East Flat Rock after a notice of sexual assaults of juveniles.
Absher is under a $300,000 secured bond.
This is an ongoing investigation. No information is being released at this time, the sheriff's office said.
Background
Absher is a former Henderson County School Board elected in 2016, according to previous reporting. He served one term and lost reelection in 2020, according to Henderson County election results.
Absher is also the founder of Only Hope WNC, a nonprofit that aids homeless youth. Absher was arrested in May 2017 after accusations of knowing about underage drinking at the nonprofit. He was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The first-time school board member was also fired from his position as a Buncombe County school bus driver on May 18, 2017, a Buncombe County Schools spokesperson confirmed at the time.
Following Absher's termination, the Henderson County board members asked for his resignation. Absher did not resign, so a meeting was held on July 24, 2017, to discuss his resignation. Absher remained adamant in keeping his board position.
In January 2018, Absher was found not guilty on two charges: contributing to the delinquency of a minor and aiding and abetting the consumption of alcohol by a minor, in connection with incidents at Only Hope WNC.
STORY COURTESY OF WLOS-TV-13