Chick-fil-A Owner Arrested for Alleged 400-Mile Trip to Meet and Molest Teen

An Ohio Chick-fil-A owner has been detained after he reportedly drove over 400 miles from Ohio to North Carolina to meet a 15-year-old he encountered on a social media application. The man, identified as Stacy Lee Austin, 49 of Belmont, allegedly broke into the family's home and supposedly molested the child during the incident that took place on March 5, 2024.

Arrest and Detention

Austin is currently being held without bond at the Rowan County Detention Center following the alleged occurrence. The village of Belmont, where Austin resides, is situated approximately 110 miles east of Columbus.

Details of the Crime

According to reports from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office in Salisbury, North Carolina, Austin communicated with the minor through an undisclosed social media platform and arranged to pick the child up in North Carolina. On the day of the crime, deputies responded to the child's residence after the father called 911 to report a burglary in progress.

Deputies' Findings

Upon arrival, deputies found Austin in the home with the 15-year-old child. In addition, the authorities discovered the suspect's underwear in a bathroom trash can, along with some of the child's clothes. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in sexual activities with the minor while inside the victim's home.

Judicial Proceedings

Following his admission, Austin was booked into jail and a judge ordered him to be held without bail until a pretrial hearing takes place. Austin is facing charges of statutory sexual offense with a child and is scheduled to appear in court on June 5.