Man arrested in child sexual assault

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Murphy, NC – Sheriff Derrick Palmer of the Cherokee County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office reported the November 24th, 2019 arrest of 23 year old Jordan Alex Michelsen for child sexual assault charges.

In September of 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s commenced an investigation into allegations that an adult male had engaged in sexual assaults on a female child sometime during the month of August 2018. During the investigation assistance was given by the Cherokee County Schools, Cherokee County Department of Social Services, and HAVEN Child Advocacy Center. During the investigation Michelsen was identified as a suspect in the sexual assault allegations.

The case was presented to the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down indictments for the arrest of Michelsen. At the time of the investigation Michelsen had been living in Andrews North Carolina and had a previous residence in the Culberson Community of Cherokee County. Shortly after the issuance of the indictments Michelsen apparently fled from Cherokee County to Cornelia Georgia and eventually surrendered at the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Jordan Alex Michelsen was arrested for STATUTORY RAPE OF A CHILD BY AN ADULT, FIRST DEGREE KIDNAPPING, INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD. Michelsen appeared before the Magistrate who set a $250,000.00 secure bond. Michelsen is currently being detained at the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a December 02nd, 2019 Superior Court date.

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

​To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.