A Democratic North Carolina legislator faces charges for indecent liberties with a child.
State Rep. Cecil Brockman faces two counts of a statutory sex offense and two counts of indecent liberties with a child in Guilford County, court records show. Brockman is being held at the Guilford County jail. He is expected to be in court Thursday at 2 p.m.
Brockman is not allowed to be released on bond after authorities claim in court documents that he attempted to contact the alleged victim in the hospital and attempted to “use his status to gain information on the whereabouts of the victim.”
Brockman’s legislative office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement to WRAL News that Brockman’s charges are “extremely serious and deeply troubling.”
He continued, “While the legal process has yet to play out, it’s clear he cannot effectively serve his constituents and should resign immediately.”
House Minority Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, said the allegations against Brockman are serious and “if true, would disqualify him from public office.”
“This is a developing situation and it is important to let the legal process unfold,” Reives said.
In an updated statement, Reives added, “As we continue to learn more about the allegations against Rep. Brockman this morning, it has become clear that he is unable to continue serving in the House of Representatives. Rep. Brockman must resign immediately.”
Before Reives’ additional comments, the North Carolina Democratic Party first called on Brockman to resign immediately.
“The profound seriousness of these criminal charges makes it impossible for him to effectively represent his community,” the party said in a statement.
House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, also called on Brockman to resign, calling the charges “shocking and extremely serious.”
“Given the evidence that’s publicly known, he should resign immediately so these charges do not distract from the work of the North Carolina House,” Hall said in a statement.
As news of the arrest broke Thursday, many of the state’s top officials were in Durham for a celebration at pharmaceutical company Biogen. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt were there along with state lawmakers of both parties.
The news trickled through the plugged-in crowd, through constantly buzzing cell phones and whispered conversations in the corners. Stein and Hunt weren’t made available for comment. Legislators who attended the event declined to comment, with several Democrats referring comment to Reives’ statement.
Brockman’s arrest comes as Democrats are trying to block GOP-written bills from becoming law.
Stein earlier this year vetoed several bills opposed by Democrats. One would allow North Carolinians over the age of 18 to carry guns without a concealed carry permit.
Another would require state and local government agencies to cooperate with deportation efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Other vetoed bills would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies in state agencies and higher education.
Legislators can override Stein’s vetoes by passing bills with 60% support, known as a supermajority. Republicans hold a supermajority in the Senate but not in the House of Representatives, where they came one seat short in the most recent elections.
If Brockman is out and all other House members are present, Republicans only need one Democrat to vote with the GOP in order to override Stein’s veto.
Brockman typically votes with Democrats, but not always. He voted with Republicans earlier this year to override Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 254, which Stein had criticized for weakening oversight of charter schools.
Brockman was among a small group of Democrats who sided with Republicans for key votes during the 2023 session, prompting a primary challenge in last year’s election. Brockman defeated Democrat James Adams by 85 votes, or less than a percentage point. Brockman went on to easily win the general election and secure a sixth term in the House.
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