WILMINGTON — A man who has played on the Port City music scene for years faces charges of sexual exploitation of minors.
Jacob Bradley Newman was taken into custody on Thursday, March 27. The New Hanover County Sheriffs Office, in collaboration with the state SBI, made the arrest after beginning an investigation into Newman a few weeks ago, according to NHCSO Lieutenant Jerry Brewer.
Newman, 37, faces three counts each of second-degree and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Brewer said more charges are expected.
“He had pictures of underage children naked among other pictures of kids,” the lieutenant said.
According to his arrest records, Newman willingly and feloniously possessed and distributed pornographic material of pre-pubescent minors, between the ages of 7 and 10 years old, who were engaged in some form of sexual activity.
Records indicate videos, some more than 3 minutes, included adult males having sex with 8-to-10-year-old girls. Another video that was 1 minute and 30 seconds was of an adult male “rubbing an erect penis on an unclothed 7-to-10-year-old,” arrest records detail.
The arrests note the defendant knew of the materials’ contents and character.
Best known across Wilmington as a musician, Newman hosted numerous open mics, played solo and joined the stage with other musicians. He also founded his own projects, including the Jake Newman Band.
He remains in the New Hanover County Detention Center on a secured $300,000 bond, Brewer said.
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