By Jerry Jordan, Editor
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kickin’ the Tires will update this article as more information becomes available.
Micah Justin Horton, 36, who was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR following a report by Kickin’ the Tires in 2021, was arrested in North Carolina this past week on five separate counts alleging, “indecent liberties with a child,” according to the Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office.
According to arrest records, Horton – DOB 10-12-1985 – was arrested on May 6 by the Huntersville Police Department at 10 a.m. Details of the arrest are not available at this time but there were five separate warrants served with $4,000 bonds apiece.
North Carolina Law, Section 14-202.1, “Taking indecent liberties with children. (a) A person is guilty of taking indecent liberties with children if, being 16 years of age or more and at least five years older than the child in question, he either: (1) Willfully takes or attempts to take any immoral, improper, or indecent liberties with any child of either sex under the age of 16 years for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire; or (2) Willfully commits or attempts to commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body or any part or member of the body of any child of either sex under the age of 16 years. (b) Taking indecent liberties with children is punishable as a Class F felony.”
Horton is also facing a single count of “permit children use firearms.”
According to Section 14-316 of North Carolina law, “Permitting young children to use dangerous firearms. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.”
In 2021, when NASCAR went to Pocono Raceway, Horton was allegedly caught up on a sting by a local community activist pretending to be an underage male looking to meet with older men at an area hotel. A series of text messages between the activist, Musa M. Harris, and a cell phone reportedly belonging to Horton, revealed a timeline of events and explicit messages and images that led Harris to Horton’s hotel room. Police were called and the next morning as reports of the incident made their way around social media, NASCAR began investigating. Horton was questioned by law enforcement and NASCAR officials, which led to his indefinite suspension from the sport and his being released from his duties at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Attempts to contact Horton were unsuccessful. Arrest warrants contain allegations. If indicted on the charges, a judge and/or jury will decide guilt or innocence. It did not appear that charges were filed in the Pocono case. It does not appear he has worked in NASCAR since that time.