An alcohol investigation leads to sex crime charges against a North Asheville man. ALE agents were investigating John Traynham Houston for the possession and sale of illegal liquor. They say during the investigation Houston expressed an interest in meeting young teenagers. An APD officer pretending to be a 14-year-old girl chatted with Houston online and set up a meeting. That's when police arrested him. 
Two search warrants were executed on Houston’s home, located at 133 Red Oak Rd. in North Asheville. ALE agents recovered a large quantity of non-taxed liquor and some illegal narcotics. APD detectives seized Houston’s computers as evidence. Houston was interviewed by APD detectives and subsequently charged with:
Attempted Taking Indecent Liberties with Children
ALE charged Houston with:
Possession of Non-Tax-Paid Liquor (x3)
Sale of Alcoholic Beverages without a Permit (x3)
Houston was held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $24,000 secured bond. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow.
Asheville Man Charged With Attempted Sex Crime