Updated Oct. 10, 12:45 p.m.
Six-term Democratic state Rep. Cecil Brockman of High Point is facing four felony charges related to alleged indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a 15-year-old.
According to a magistrate's order detailing his arrest, Brockman is twice accused in or around Aug. 15 of engaging in a sexual act with a 15-year-old and is twice alleged to have committed and attempted to commit "a lewd and lascivious act" upon the juvenile. The alleged victim in each felony count was identified by the same initials. The State Bureau of Investigation is involved in the case.
Brockman was being held without bond at the High Point jail. He was supposed to make a court appearance on Thursday afternoon. Just before the time of the hearing in Greensboro, Judge Gordon Miller told the courtroom there was a development in the case. A bailiff announced that Brockman had a medical emergency and was taken to a local hospital.
Sheriff's Office spokesperson Bria Evans said Thursday she had no information on Brockman's medical status, citing privacy law, but said that he was still in custody of the High Point jail run by the office.
An assistant for Brockman at his legislative office said Brockman didn't have a comment Thursday. A voice message left on a phone number connected to Brockman wasn't immediately returned. The online court records provided no information on whether he had an attorney.
In separate statements, the North Carolina Democratic Party, Republican House Speaker Destin Hall and House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives all called on Brockman to resign immediately his General Assembly seat. So did Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
"These charges are extremely serious and deeply troubling," Stein said in a written statement. "While the legal process has yet to play out, it's clear he cannot effectively serve his constituents and should resign immediately."
The minimum prison sentence for someone convicted of the statutory sexual offense count is at least 12 years, according to state sentencing directives, while taking indecent liberties with a child can be punishable by active prison time, probation, or both.
A document signed by a Guilford County magistrate explaining in part why Brockman's release wasn't authorized on Wednesday said the defendant "is a state representative and has access to abundant resources to aid in his flight from prosecution."
In addition, the document said, Brockman has "made attempts to contact the victim in this case," even trying to locate the young person in the hospital and "to use his status" to gain information about the teenager's whereabouts.
Brockman, who was first elected to the legislature in 2014, has been targeted politically by fellow Democrats in recent years for his willingness to vote with Republicans on some key bills. In July, he and a couple other House Democrats helped the GOP successfully override some of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes.
A past supporter of some school choice initiatives, Brockman is one of four vice chairs on the House K-12 education committee during this General Assembly term, joining three Republicans. Brockman narrowly survived a primary challenge in the 2024 election for the 60th House District seat that represents southwest Guilford County, including High Point.