Executive Summary
- Michael Lee Absher seeks a reduction of his $2.2 million bond.
- Charges include human trafficking and statutory sexual offenses involving minors.
- Defense cites Absher’s lack of criminal record and role as a caregiver.
- A hearing on the bond reduction is requested for February 26, 2026.
Michael Lee Absher, a former Henderson County School Board member and the founder of Only Hope WNC Inc., has filed a motion seeking a reduction of his $2.2 million bond in connection with multiple charges of child exploitation and human trafficking. The motion, filed by Absher’s legal counsel on February 2, 2026, argues that the current bond amount is unreasonable given the defendant’s background and financial status. A hearing on the matter has been requested for February 26, 2026.
According to court records, Absher was arrested in the summer of 2025 and initially charged with multiple sex offenses involving minors. On September 16, 2025, authorities filed additional charges, including one count of indecent liberties with a child and seven counts of statutory sexual offense with a person 15 years of age or younger. Subsequently, in October 2025, a grand jury indicted Absher on three counts of human trafficking of child victims. The cumulative bond for these charges was set at approximately $2.2 million.
In the motion for bond reduction, defense attorneys argue that Absher does not pose a flight risk and emphasized his role as the primary caregiver for his mother. The filing states that Absher has no prior criminal record and highlights his lifelong residence in Henderson County. The defense contends that the current bond is contrary to the district’s policy and violates principles of due process, citing his lack of financial resources and history of employment.
Procedural Next Steps
The upcoming hearing will require a judge to weigh the severity of the alleged crimes—specifically the charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors—against the defendant’s constitutional rights regarding excessive bail. In North Carolina, judicial officials typically consider the nature of the offense, the weight of the evidence, and the defendant’s ties to the community when determining bond modifications. The outcome of this hearing will determine whether Absher remains in custody under the current financial stipulations pending trial. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
