BREVARD, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina state lawmaker charged with cyberstalking related to a domestic case has appeared in court for the first time on the allegation.
News outlets report second-term Republican Rep. Cody Henson of Transylvania County made his first appearance Thursday.
A state judge granted a protective order against Henson last month after determining text messages his estranged wife received amounted to "mental harassment." The order is effective until January.
His appearance reinforced that he's not allowed to have contact with her. He also can't have a gun.
Henson announced Tuesday he won't seek re-election so he could spend more time with his children. He declined to comment on the accusations Thursday.
Henson represents Transylvania and Polk counties and part of Henderson County. He has another court appearance scheduled May 2.
