Man gets 20 years in prison for raping a teenager

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC (WSPA) – An Asheville man will serve a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty Tuesday to raping a minor.

According to the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office, Christopher Murray Upshaw pleaded guilty to rape of a child under the age of 15.

A judge sentenced him to 240 – 348 months in prison.

In March 2023, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Intelligence began investigating reports of a sexual assault involving a minor victim. During the course of the investigation, officers were able to identify and arrest Upshaw.

According to prosecutors, Upshaw was previously convicted of child abuse in 2011.

The judge also ordered Upshaw to register as a sex offender for 30 years and to have no contact with the victim for the rest of his life.