Lexington man sentenced after forceful sexual abuse of child in western North Carolina Cherokee territory

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WGHP) — A Lexington man has been sentenced after forcing sexual contact with a child , according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina.

Rogelia Vega Evans, 26, of Lexington, was sentenced on Thursday to 15 years in prison. After, he will be under a lifetime of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

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Around June 18, 2022, Evans sexually abused a child under the age of 12, the U.S. Attorney's Office reports citing court documents and court proceedings.

The crime happened in the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in western North Carolina. The victim was an enrolled member of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians.

Evans pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2023, to engaging in sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12 by force.

U.S. Attorney Dena J. King, who made the announcement alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt and Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau, thanked the FBI and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their investigation of the case, as well as the High Point Police Department for its assistance with Evans's arrest.