NEWTON, N.C. — New developments have surfaced in the case of comedian Jon Reep, 53, who was arrested Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Court records now confirm that the alleged victims were between 1 and 14 years old.
The Hickory Police Department launched its investigation after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on April 15. That tip linked an account associated with child sexual abuse material to Reep, prompting a search warrant and the seizure of several electronic devices. Forensic analysis of the devices and related communications provided evidence that was later presented to a Catawba County grand jury. On Sept. 2, the grand jury returned indictments for one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Reep, a Hickory native who rose to national fame after winning NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2007 and appearing in projects such as Netflix’s Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo, was taken into custody and appeared before a magistrate in Newton on Friday. He posted a $260,000 secured bond and was released from the Catawba County Detention Facility.
The revelation of the victims’ ages has intensified public outrage, with many in the community expressing shock over the allegations given Reep’s public profile. Authorities emphasize that the case remains active and that further details may emerge as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828-465-8340.
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