Exclusive Update: Forest City Man Arrested After Fleeing to Alaska

Christopher Seth Ledford, 27, of Forest City, fled to Alaska after learning he was under investigation by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, new court records show. The records were made public following a request to Clerk of Court Steve Owens by WCAB News following our exclusive report on Oct. 17.

Ledford was indicted on six felony counts, including attempted statutory sex offense with a child and indecent liberties with a child. He was brought back to North Carolina and is now held on a $5 million secured bond.

The alleged offenses occurred on September 1, 2023, and his order for arrest was issued on April 15, 2024, and were investigated by Detective Julie Greene. He was arrested on October 16, 2025. The case remains pending. His next court date is January 14, 2026.