Justin Tawse Brigham, 44, was arrested Dec. 10 and charged with first‑degree burglary, statutory rape of a child by an adult and indecent liberties after a 13‑year‑old's parents discovered an unknown man in their daughter's bedroom. He appeared in court Dec. 11 and is being held on a $10 million secure bond. Brigham co‑owned Sycamore Brewing; his wife, Sarah Taylor, said he will divest his interest and she will assume full leadership. Local businesses have pulled Sycamore products and pledged proceeds to a rape crisis center.
Sycamore Brewing Co‑Owner Arrested After Alleged Break‑In and Sexual Assault of 13‑Year‑Old
Stanly County Sheriff's OfficeJustin Tawse Brigham
Local authorities say Justin Tawse Brigham, 44, a co‑owner of Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte, N.C., was arrested after an alleged break‑in and sexual assault of a 13‑year‑old girl.
Arrest, Charges and Court Appearance
The Stanly County Sheriff's Office announced that Brigham was taken into custody the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 10. He is charged with first‑degree burglary, statutory rape of a child by an adult and indecent liberties with a child. Brigham made his first appearance in Stanly County District Court on Dec. 11, where a secure bond was set at $10 million. Jail records show he is being held at the Stanly County Detention Center.
Alleged Incident
Police said they were called to a residence after the parents of the 13‑year‑old discovered an "unknown adult male" in their child's bedroom. Investigators later located Brigham reportedly completely undressed in a vehicle near the alleged victim's home. Authorities have not released further investigative details; the sheriff's office and local news outlets are cited as sources.
Business Impact and Family Statement
Brigham co‑owned Sycamore Brewing with his wife, Sarah Taylor. On Dec. 11, Taylor posted on Sycamore Brewing's Instagram that she is "devastated by the charges against Justin" and that she will assume full leadership of the company. Taylor stated that Brigham will divest all of his interest and have no further involvement with the brewery.
"Effective immediately, I am assuming full leadership of the company. Justin is divesting all of his interest and will have no further involvement. Our team remains my highest priority as a Mom and a business owner," Taylor wrote.
Community Response and Resources
In the day following the alleged incident, Wilmington beer garden Freya’s Haus announced it would remove all Sycamore Brewing products from its shelves and donate proceeds from remaining stock to a local rape crisis center. Media outlets reporting on the case include PEOPLE and WSOC‑TV; the Stanly County Sheriff's Office issued an official statement on social media.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, support is available: text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741‑741 to connect with a trained counselor.
