Greensboro, North Carolina – GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state lawmaker The accused this week A man accused of sex crimes involving a 15-year-old appeared in court remotely from a hospital bed while still in custody Friday, and a judge set his bail at just over $1 million.
Democratic state Rep. Cecil Brockman of High Point, who was arrested Wednesday, had his scheduled court appearance Thursday canceled, as a message in the state’s electronic court records system said he was in the hospital. No specific reason for his hospitalization was given.
Brockman is charged with two counts of statutory sex offense with a child and indecent liberties with a child. Democratic Governor Josh Stein, The state Democratic Party and top House leaders from both parties have called on him to resign from the seat he has held since 2015.
District Judge Gordon Miller set Brockman’s secured bond for his release at $1.05 million, and the actor was told to have no contact with his alleged victim, according to court records and news reports. Brockman’s next court date is November 13.
News reports said Brockman asked several times to testify at Friday’s hearing, but the judge advised him to speak with his lawyer first. In the end, he did not make a statement after the break.
The attorney representing Brockman did not immediately respond Friday to a phone message left at his office. Brockman’s aide said at the General Assembly on Friday that Brockman had no comment yet.
A Guilford County judge’s order says Brockman is accused of committing crimes against the 15-year-old on or about Aug. 15. A document signed by the judge on Wednesday said Brockman attempted to contact the victim and attempted to “use his position” to obtain information about the teen’s whereabouts.
Guilford County District Attorney Avery Crump alleged in court Friday that Brockman had recently tried to track down the 15-year-old girl through an app and also by calling 911, according to news reports. The district attorney said Brockman met the teen in May through an online app.
The minimum prison sentence for anyone convicted of a statutory sex offense is at least 12 years, according to state sentencing guidelines. Exercising indecent liberties with a child can be punished by actual imprisonment, probation, or both.