A 52-year-old man is being held on a $250,000 bond after a warrant accused him of possessing nine videos depicting minors engaged in sexual activity; the alleged possession occurred in New Hanover County. Jeffrey Scott Herman now faces nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to court records.
Herman is described by WECT as being from Delta, Pennsylvania. The warrant alleges Herman possessed the nine videos in New Hanover County on or about Oct. 28, and court records show the warrant was issued Nov. 5 and served the following day.
Conflicting Reports on Herman's Residence
Not every outlet agrees on where Herman is from. While WECT identifies him as a Pennsylvania resident, WWAY describes him as “a 52-year-old Wilmington man” facing the same multiple felony charges. WWAY similarly reports that Herman allegedly possessed material containing visual representations of minors engaged in sexual activity, and that he is charged with nine felony counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor — matching the count WECT reported.
Both outlets agree that Herman is being held on a $250,000 bond, with WWAY specifying it as a secured bond. The two reports diverge, however, on his next scheduled court date. WECT's report states Herman is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 2 p.m. on Monday, while WWAY reports the appearance is set for Nov. 19. That discrepancy has not been resolved.
What the Charge Covers Under State Law
Third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor is an offense under North Carolina law when a person, knowing the material’s character or content, possesses a child sex doll or material depicting a minor engaged in sexual activity, or made to appear to depict an identifiable minor doing so, according to North Carolina General Assembly statute G.S. 14-190.17A. The statute's language describes the general elements of the offense and is not a determination about the specific allegations against Herman.
No outcome of the scheduled court appearance has been reported, and the case remains in its early stages. A mugshot of Herman was provided by the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
