NEWTON, N.C. — Jon Reep, 53, a famous comedian from Hickory, was arrested Friday after a grand jury indicted him on multiple counts of second- and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
On April 15, the Hickory Police Department received an Internet Crimes Against Children cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child sexual abuse material, police said.
The account associated with this cyber tip belonged to Reep.
There was a search warrant at the location linked to the IP address from the cyber tip.
Electronic devices were seized during the execution of the search warrant and digital forensic analysis of these devices and other online communications were completed.
The case was presented to the Grand Jury of Catawba County on Tuesday and a true bill indictment was issued for Reep for the following charges:
- One count of second-degree sexual exploitation of minor
- Nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of minor
They involved minors between one and 14 years old, according to court documents.
Reep faced a magistrate Friday afternoon in Newton and bonded out of jail soon after.
Update: just confirmed his bond was set at $260,000 Breaking Catawba Co- police in Hickory have just arrested Jon Reep...
Posted by Dave Faherty on Friday, September 5, 2025
He had a comedy show slated for Friday night in Goldsboro, North Carolina, but it was rescheduled.
Reep won “Last Comic Standing” with the most votes cast on NBC, according to his website.
He was also in Netflix’s “Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo” and his standup special on Amazon Prime “Ginger Beard Man.”
“It shocks me about Jon Reep because I went to high school with him,” said resident Clorressa McCraw. “We graduated in 1996 from Fred T. Foard High School. It blows my mind that that would be actually something he did.”
Michael Swink, Resident Michael Swink said he was surprised and couldn’t believe the news.
“Not only very well known, but very well liked,” a resident said. “It’s a shock to hear he would have those charged against him.”
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
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