Child Sexual Assault suspect arrested after fleeing to Georgia

MUPRHY, North Carolina (WDEF) – It has been more than a year since the investigation began, but a western North Carolina man is finally behind bars, charged with sexual assault of a child.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer reports it began in September of 2018 with a report that a girl had been the victim of multiple sexual assaults.

With the help of the Cherokee County school system, Social Services and HAVEN Center, they identified 23 year old Jordan Alex Michelsen from Andrews as the suspect.

The grand jury indicted him, but then he fled to Cornelia, Georgia.

The sheriff says Michelsen eventually surrendered to the jail.

He faces charges of Statutory Rape, First Degree Kidnapping and Indecent Liberties With a Child.

Sheriff Palmer said “Great team work by all. These crimes are difficult on everyone concerned and often take time to bring to conclusion.”