NC Rep. Cecil Brockman resigns amid child sex crime charges, effort to remove him

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina state representative charged with child sex crimes in earlier October has resigned from the state House of Representatives, his office said Friday.

The resignation of Cecil Brockman, a Democrat who has represented Guilford County since 2015, was confirmed by his aide, who provided a copy of his resignation letter to the Office of the North Carolina House Clerk.

“I am currently facing criminal charges brought against me in Guilford County,” Brockman wrote in the letter. “Due to the seriousness of these accusations, I need to focus on my defense of these allegations.

“As a result, I am currently unable to fulfill my duty and service to my constituents in Guilford County,” he wrote in the letter. “As a result, I am resigning my position from the NC House of Representatives effective immediately.”

Brockman was arrested on Oct. 9 on two counts of statutory sex offense with a child and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old who was living with him for months.

Brockman’s resignation came hours after North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall announced he had formed a bipartisan committee to explore removing him from his position. Hall said last week he would create such a committee if Brockman did not step down.

Following the resignation, Hall said in a statement, “Rep. Brockman’s decision to resign is the right thing to do for his constituents and for the North Carolina House of Representatives. His departure spares the House from a difficult expulsion process and brings closure to this troubling chapter.”

Leaders in Brockman’s own party called on him to resign, including Gov. Josh Stein, former governor Roy Cooper, House Democratic Leader Robert Rieves, and North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton.

Brockman remains in custody on $1.05 million secured bond as of Friday.

Court records show Brockman filed a motion on Thursday to have his bond reduced to $100,000 secured.