Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office summons Rep. Cody Henson for cyberstalking 

 

BREVARD—The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office issued North Carolina Rep. Cody Henson (R) a criminal summons for cyberstalking Wednesday morning, following a complaint made by Henson’s wife, Kelsey Henson earlier this year.  

Cody Henson represents the North Carolina House of Representatives 113th, which includes Polk, Transylvania and parts of Henderson counties. He won his second term last November.  

Henson just had a civil court hearing last week at the Transylvania Courthouse, where the judge sided with Kelsey Henson and issued a domestic violence protective order to Henson.  

Kelsey Henson petitioned the court earlier this year, saying that her husband was repeatedly texting outside the hours they agreed to communicate about their children. Kelsey Henson has also said she felt like she could not get help because of position.  

District Attorney Greg Newman has recused himself from prosecuting the case because he supported Henson during his most recent re-election. Newman told a news station he plans to ask North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein’s office to prosecute the Henson’s case.  

Kelsey Henson claimed that she has been subjected to levels of harassment to such a level as to inflict substantial emotional distress, with her placed in an ongoing fear for her safety and that of her children. She has reportedly made three calls to 911 about her husband over the last year. She has also said the abuse was not physical.  

North Carolina statutes define electronic communications become the crime of cyberstalking when done repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of abusing, threatening, terrifying, harassing or embarrassing any person. Cyberstalking is a class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina.  

The Polk County Democratic Party in Columbus called for Henson’s resignation last week in a statement. The Polk County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee also said Henson’s wife deserves more support than she has been getting up to this point.  

Henson’s court date is scheduled for March 28.