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HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — A North Carolina state representative has made his first appearance in court after being charged with statutory sex crimes.
Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-District 60), 41, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with two counts of statutory rape and two counts of indecent liberties with a minor. He was due to have a first appearance in court on Thursday, but the hearing was delayed due to a “medical emergency.”
In court, the District Attorney alleged that Brockman struck up a relationship with the teen via an online app in May and that they were living together in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to High Point in August. The victim turned 15 in June.
On Oct. 5, Brockman allegedly called 911, asking for help trying to find his “friend,” the victim, whom he was tracking on the Life360 app. Davidson County Sheriff’s Office responded and then contacted the High Point Police Department after opening an investigation. HPPD then contacted the SBI.
Initially, the magistrate issued no bond for Brockman when he was taken into custody, with court documents alleging he used his status as a legislator to try and locate the victim and make contact with the 15-year-old while they were in a hospital. The DA said Brockman attempted to push through locked doors in the emergency department where the victim was being treated as a patient.
The victim’s phone was seized and sexual videos were found on the phone.
Brockman appeared at the hearing on Friday via a video call from the hospital. He appeared distraught during the hearing and asked the judge to let him speak, but after a recess where he spoke with his lawyer, he did not.
Brockman was given an updated bond of $1,050,000 and ordered to have no contact with the victim or ask anyone to contact the victim on his behalf.
Brockman is currently in his sixth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Multiple politicians, including Governor Josh Stein, called on him to resign in the wake of these charges.
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Celeste Smith
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