ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A 51-year-old sex offender was sentenced to over 31 years in prison after traveling from Asheville to Fort Mill to engage in sexual activity with a minor, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. Michael John Worley, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to 382 months (31.8 years) in prison on April 25th. He was previously ordered to spend five years in prison in 2017 after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.  The sentence stems from an undercover operation by the York County Sheriff’s Office to catch online predators attempting to contact minors via social media and other messaging applications, according to court documents. On March 12th, 2021, Worley began communicating with undercover deputies, posing as a 15-year-old female. Worley knowingly communicated with the underaged female and expressed his interest in engaging in sexual activity.  Officials said Worley acknowledged his troubled past and wanted to avoid getting caught again. On March 27th, Worley traveled from Haywood County outside Asheville to Fort Mill with the intentions of engaging in sexual acts with the minor female. Worley arrived at a Fort Mill home and was met by deputies where he was arrested. He pleaded guilty on March 3rd, 2023. Officials said he will remain under court supervision for the remainder of his life. He will also have to register as a sex offender after his prison sentence.