Burke County Man Gets Minimum 31 Year Sentence For Child-Sex Crimes

A former teacher and church youth leader in Burke County will spend at least 31 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to child sex crimes.

Aaron Doyle Mirtsching, 42, pleaded guilty to three counts of statutory sex offense with a child, one count of statutory sex offense with a 13 to 15-year-old and five counts of indecent liberties with a minor.

He was sentenced to spend 31 to 46 years in prison.

In 2023, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office investigated a cyber-tip that was received from Internet Crimes Against Children. Following the investigation, the initial warrants were issued against Mirtsching for three counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Mirtsching was arrested last August.

Mirtsching previously worked as a teacher at New Dimensions Charter School and as a youth leader at Thrive Church.