Welcome to Arrest Stories. A nationally known comedian from Hickory faces ten felony charges related to third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after a months-long investigation that began with a federal cyber tip. Here's what may have happened.
Fifty-three-year-old Jon Reep, winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing fifth season in two thousand seven, was arrested following an extensive investigation that started when Hickory Police Department received an Internet Crimes Against Children cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on April fifteenth. The tip concerned child sexual abuse material allegedly associated with an online account belonging to Jonathan David Reep.
According to official reports, investigators executed a search warrant at the location linked to the IP address from the cyber tip. During the search, electronic devices were seized from the property. Digital forensic analysis of these devices and other online communications was subsequently completed by authorities.
The investigation culminated months later when the Catawba County District Attorney's Office issued a true bill indictment on September second. Reep was arrested and initially held at the Catawba County Detention Facility before bonding out after facing a magistrate. His bond was set at two hundred sixty thousand dollars.
The arrest has shocked the local community where Reep grew up. One former classmate stated, "It shocks me about Jon Reep because I went to high school with him. We graduated in nineteen ninety-six from Fred T. Foard High School. It blows my mind that that would be actually something he did."
Another community member described Reep as "not only very well known but very well liked. It's a shock to hear he would have those charges against him."
The arrest has already impacted Reep's scheduled performances. One venue issued a statement saying they immediately contacted producers for clarification upon learning of the situation and were forced to cancel a scheduled performance, offering ticket holders refunds or the opportunity to retain tickets for a possible future date.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.
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