Tarrick Pittman charged with cyberstalking

ROCKY MOUNT — A former political candidate and local television personality has been charged with cyberstalking.

Tarrick Pittman, 34, is accused of using electronic means to harass and threaten John Jesso, according to a criminal summons issued by a Nash County magistrate with a court date set for March 9.

Pittman told Jesso in text messages that for the safety of his wife and dogs he should leave Rocky Mount.

Pittman also warned Jesso to stay out of downtown.

Jesso, the city’s former downtown manager, is listed in court records as a complaining witness in the case. He is now an employee of Chambliss and Rabel, the company that manages the downtown commercial property from which Pittman is being evicted.

Jesso signed the eviction notice claiming Pittman owned $7,000 in back rent.

Pittman, leader of the Downtown Merchants Association, previously failed to pay rent at a building on the Douglas Block in 2019 and a building on Falls Road in 2020.

Mayor Sandy Roberson, a candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 2nd District, announced Pittman’s appointment to the city’s housing authority board the same day Pittman was charged.

Roberson told The Enterprise he didn’t know about Pittman’s criminal charge and most recent eviction case.

The offense allegedly took place Feb. 9. Pittman was charged Feb. 11 and served Feb. 17, according to documents on file at the Nash County Clerk of Court.

Pittman previously told The Enterprise that the cyberstalking charge was the result of him just trying to renegotiate his lease.

"Sometimes those discussions became heated, with accusations flying back and forth," Pittman said. “I have no qualms against anyone, and the ‘bullying’ was me giving honest advice that was taken out of context. It happens sometimes, but that’s life."

Pittman, who ran unsuccessfully against Councilman Andre Knight for Ward 1 in 2019, is the host of Independent Thinkers, a show that airs weekly on WNCR. (Read more)