Ranger – A Mystic Mountain Drive resident was indicted on five counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of statutory sex offense.
Steve Nolan, 69, of 307 Mystic Mountain Drive, was arrested following an investigation that began in January 2024, when the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a social worker about the suspected sexual assault of a 12-year-old victim.
An investigation included interviews conducted by the sheriff’s office, forensic interviews performed by HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center, execution of a search warrant at the suspects residence and a comprehensive digital forensic examination of multiple seized electronic devices.
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On March 17, a grand jury returned the indictment against Nolan. On March 21, patrol division deputies arrested Nolan at his residence without incident and took him to the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy.
Nolan was served with the outstanding indictments. He posted $125,000.00 secured bond and was released from custody.
Sheriff Dustin Smith emphasized the collaborative effort in bringing this case to justice.
“I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the multiple agencies who worked tirelessly to protect our community’s most vulnerable,” Smith said in a release.
“Our sincere thanks go to the Cherokee County Department of Social Services, HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center and the dedicated staff at Erlanger Behavioral Health. Their collaboration was instrumental in bringing this perpetrator to justice and ensuring the safety of our young victim.”
Call the sheriff’s office at 828-837-2589 or submit tips anonymously at 828-837-1344.