Michael Absher Bond Denied after prosecutors argued the seriousness of child sex and human trafficking charges required he remain jailed in Henderson County.
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. — A judge denied bond for former Henderson County School Board member Michael Lee Absher, who is facing multiple child sex offense and human trafficking charges.
Absher had been trying to slash his $2.2 million bond — but instead, the court shut it all the way down.
He will now remain behind bars with no bond as the case moves forward.
Defense Asked for Lower Bond
Absher’s attorney, John Pritchard, asked the court to reduce the bond to somewhere between $500,000 and $1 million, arguing that his client was not a flight risk, has no prior criminal record. has deep community ties, and serves as the primary caregiver for his mother
The defense maintained that the previous bond amount was excessive and inconsistent with district policy.
But prosecutors weren’t having it.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Van Buren urged the judge to reject the request outright.
“I think he should be held with no bond,” Van Buren told the court, citing the seriousness of the alleged crimes.
The charges include multiple counts of statutory sexual offense involving minors 15 years old or younger, indecent liberties with a child, and three counts of human trafficking of child victims following a grand jury indictment in October 2025.
Given the severity of those accusations, the court sided with the prosecution.
From Community Leader to Inmate
Absher, who previously served on the Henderson County School Board and founded Only Hope WNC Inc., was arrested in summer 2025. The case has since escalated with additional charges and indictments.
After the allegations surfaced, the youth organization associated with him cut ties.
