CRIME

Former Enka wrestling star had multiple victims, warrants state

Ari Sen
ASen@citizen-times.com
Enka graduate Kacee Hutchinson, right, is a redshirt junior for the Greensboro College wrestling team.

Search warrants issued by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office say at least four people have come forward accusing a Greensboro College wrestling All-American of inappropriate sexual behavior.  

Deputies were first alerted to the behavior when an Enka High School student came forward in April to an employee of the school saying that he had been groped and fondled by Kacee Ross Hutchinson on a non-school related trip, warrants state. The student said the groping was unwanted and unsolicited. 

Warrants also state Hutchinson sent nude photos of himself to another student around April 2016. Hutchinson also requested naked photos of the student, who was 15 years old at the time, warrants state. 

Another victim said he and Hutchinson had exchanged explicit photographs via a social media messaging application, warrants state. Hutchinson reportedly used the platform to facilitate a meeting with the student, where they had sexual contact. 

Hutchinson was 19 years old at the time, while the victim was 15, warrants state. 

Another victim alleged Hutchinson had asked him to exchange naked photos when he was between 15 and 16 years old, which was approximately two years ago, warrants state. 

According to warrants, Hutchinson denied to deputies that he ever sent naked photos to students but said he had sent naked photos to others in the past.  

Deputies conducted a search of Hutchinson's Facebook account in May after receiving an order from a judge. They also asked the judge not to release the warrant, to preserve evidence in a pending criminal case against Hutchinson. 

Deputies also searched Hutchinson's iPhone for evidence on Wednesday. 

Enka alumnus Kacee Hutchinson is the first All-American wrestler in school history for Greensboro College.

Hutchinson graduated from Enka High in 2013 and was a two-time state champion in high school for the Jets.

Hutchinson now attends Greensboro College. In May, Greensboro named Hutchinson its male athlete of the year. He will be a red-shirt senior for the 2017-18 season.

Hutchinson became the Pride's first All-American wrestler at March's NCAA Division III tournament. He placed eighth in the tournament, weighing in at 197 pounds.