ASHEVILLE -- A multi-agency investigation into the 2024 kidnapping and assault of a juvenile reached its legal conclusion this week as Nancy Grace Justice, 29, of East Flat Rock, entered a guilty plea in Henderson County Superior Court.
Appearing before visiting Superior Court Judge Louis Trosch, Justice pleaded guilty to:
Two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
One count of abduction of children.
The Sentence
Judge Trosch ordered Justice to serve three consecutive prison terms, each ranging from 15 to 27 months. Under North Carolina’s sentencing guidelines, this results in a mandatory minimum of 45 months (nearly four years) in active sets.
Beyond her term of incarceration, the court imposed strict long-term requirements:
Sex Offender Registry: Justice must register for a period of 30 years.
No-Contact Order: A permanent order was issued to protect the victim from any future contact with Justice.
Background of the Investigation
The case originated on May 4, 2024, when the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the Asheville Police Department launched a joint search for a runaway juvenile. That initial report quickly evolved into a criminal investigation as authorities uncovered evidence of kidnapping and assault.
Justice is the second person to be sentenced in relation to this case. Her co-defendant, Kobee Nathaniel Wynn, pleaded guilty earlier in 2026. Wynn received a significantly steeper sentence, with a court-ordered minimum of 127 months (over 10 years) in prison.
Community Resolution
According to the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office, the victim, their family, and the investigating officers expressed satisfaction with the finality of these sentences. The resolution offers a sense of closure after a lengthy investigation.