(The Center Square) – Cellphone video of sexual encounters involving a 15-year-old he lived with in Atlanta and High Point are within prosecutors’ evidence against 41-year-old North Carolina state Rep. Cecil Brockman, according to his first court appearance on Friday conducted in part from a hospital.
The Guilford County Democrat, a sixth-term lawmaker, is facing charges of two counts statutory sex offense with a child and two counts indecent liberties with a child. Initially denied bail, the judge updated it to $1.05 million. His next court date is Nov. 13.
Prosecutors say the phone of the lawmaker had 14 videos of illegal activities. First-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, the North Carolina Democratic Party, and Republican House Speaker Destin Hall have led the calls for Brockman to resign effective immediately.
A “medical emergency” delayed the hearing from Thursday to Friday. Prosecutors say Brockman connected with the teen as a 14-year-old in May. The two began residing in High Point in August.
On Sunday, prosecutors say Brockman called 911 unable to locate the teen. Davidson County deputies, the High Point Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation eventually were involved.
Brockman represents District 60, or the southwestern corner of Guilford County inclusive of High Point. He’s vice chairman in the Committee on Education K-12, and a member of five others – Agriculture and Environment; Appropriations; Appropriations Education; Energy and Public Utilities; and Health. He also is a member of the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
Brockman has at times been an ally to Republicans to overturn vetoes of Stein and former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. He’s also had a public dispute with his state party, saying it seeks “a seat warmer who does nothing, sacrificing their own community’s needs for the desires of the wealthy and white Democratic elite.” He’s voted with the party more than against it.
The November election left Democrats in a 71-49 minority in the House. That means when it comes to vetoes, all 49 can stop an override if united; the threshold for passage is three-fifths majority, or 72 if all 120 vote.
Earlier this week, a Republican’s resignation became effective and his replacement is yet to be seated. The House next convenes on Monday, though late Friday afternoon at time of publication no formal actions requiring votes are scheduled.
