American comedian and actor Jon Reep is facing felony child sexual exploitation charges after being arrested on Friday, Sept. 5, in his home state of North Carolina, officials confirmed.
Reep, 53, was booked into jail after Hickory Police Department officers arrested him on one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, a Catawba County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told USA TODAY.
The arrest came after Hickory Police reported the agency received an Internet Crimes Against Children cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on April 15, 2025 “that concerned child sexual abuse material.”
During the course of an investigation, detectives confiscated some of his personal property, police spokesperson Kristen Hart said.
According to information from a news release and police report obtained by USA TODAY, a grand jury indicted Reep on Sept. 2 for charges related to “cyberspace” crimes.
Reep posted a $260,000 bond on Friday, Sept. 5, the sheriff’s spokesperson said, and was free pending his next court appearance.
Reep was scheduled to perform in Goldsboro, North Carolina on Friday night, Sept. 5, according to his website.
Who is Jon Reep?
Reep is from Hickory, North Carolina. The city is about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte.
He appeared on the NBC series “Last Comic Standing,” which he won in 2007, and also starred in the ABC sitcom “Rodney.”
It was not immediately known whether he had entered a plea in the case or obtained an attorney.
USA TODAY has reached out to Reep and his reps for comment.
This is a developing story.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund