Stanfield, North Carolina, December 17, 2025
Authorities in Stanly County have escalated charges against Justin Brigham, the former co-owner of Sycamore Brewing, following an arrest related to the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. Brigham now faces a total of nine felony charges, including statutory sex offenses and assault. His bond was raised significantly, reflecting the severity of the new allegations. The case has led to a backlash against Sycamore Brewing, prompting bars and grocery chains in North Carolina to pull its products from their shelves as the community responds to the serious nature of the charges.
Charlotte: Former Brewery Co-Owner Faces Expanded Charges in Child Sexual Assault Case
Charlotte, NC – Authorities in Stanly County have filed a series of additional charges against Justin Brigham, 44, the former co-owner of Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte, following his arrest last week in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. The new charges, announced on Monday, December 15, and further detailed on Tuesday, December 16, mark a significant escalation in the ongoing legal proceedings that have sent shockwaves through the community and led to widespread repercussions for the popular brewery.
New Allegations and Legal Actions
Brigham, who was initially arrested on Thursday, December 11, now faces a total of nine felony charges. The most recent additions include three counts of statutory sex offense against a child under 15, one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of soliciting a child by computer. In addition to the child-related charges, a new felony charge of assault inflicting serious bodily injury was also filed. This particular charge stems from an alleged incident on December 10, where Brigham is accused of assaulting an adult male by grabbing and twisting his genitals, causing extreme pain.
Initially, Brigham was charged with statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary, and indecent liberties with a child. He remains incarcerated in Stanly County jail. His bond, initially set at $10 million, was increased to $11,250,000 following the announcement of the new charges. Court records indicate his next appearance in Stanly County Criminal District Court is scheduled for December 29, 2025.
Details of the Initial Incident
The initial arrest on December 11 followed an incident on Wednesday, December 10, when the parents of a 13-year-old girl in Stanfield, Stanly County, reportedly discovered an unfamiliar adult male in their daughter’s bedroom. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials located Brigham, undressed, in a vehicle nearby and took him into custody. Investigations by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Brigham had allegedly communicated with the victim online, using platforms like Snapchat and text messages, for approximately two weeks prior to the incident, and knew she was underage.
Stanfield, where the alleged crime occurred, is located about 45 minutes east of Charlotte.
Impact on Sycamore Brewing
The allegations and subsequent charges have led to immediate and significant fallout for Sycamore Brewing, a prominent establishment in Charlotte’s South End, which Brigham co-founded with his wife, Sarah Taylor, in 2013. Taylor announced shortly after the initial arrest that she has assumed full leadership of the company, and that Justin Brigham has divested all his interests and will have no further involvement with the brewery. Sycamore Brewing’s official statement expressed deep heartbreak for the victim and affirmed that the company would not support Brigham’s defense, trusting the legal system to ensure accountability.
The community’s response has been swift and widespread. Numerous bars and major grocery chains across North Carolina, including Food Lion, Whole Foods, Publix, and Lowe’s, have announced they are pulling Sycamore Brewing products from their shelves. Additionally, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has removed Sycamore Brewing from its offerings, with its taproom location transitioning to a new concept.
Investigators have seized Brigham’s electronic devices as part of their ongoing investigation and have cautioned that additional charges may be filed as they continue to explore the possibility of other victims. Authorities have urged parents to closely monitor their children’s social media activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the latest developments in the case against the former Sycamore Brewing co-owner?
- Authorities in Stanly County filed additional charges against Justin Brigham on Monday, December 15, and detailed them on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. These new charges include three counts of statutory sex offense against a child under 15, one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of soliciting a child by computer, and one count of assault inflicting serious bodily injury.
- When was Justin Brigham arrested and what were the initial charges?
- Justin Brigham was initially arrested on Thursday, December 11, 2025. His initial charges included statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary, and indecent liberties with a child.
- What is the current bond amount for Justin Brigham?
- Following the filing of additional charges, Justin Brigham’s bond was increased to $11,250,000.
- What action has Sycamore Brewing taken regarding Justin Brigham?
- Sarah Taylor, Brigham’s wife and co-founder, has assumed full leadership of Sycamore Brewing. Justin Brigham has divested all his interests and will have no further involvement with the company. The brewery stated it would not assist in his defense.
- How has the community reacted to the allegations against the former Sycamore Brewing co-owner?
- Numerous bars and major grocery chains across North Carolina, including Food Lion, Whole Foods, Publix, and Lowe’s, have pulled Sycamore Brewing products from their shelves. Charlotte Douglas International Airport has also removed Sycamore Brewing from its offerings.
- When is Justin Brigham’s next court appearance?
- Justin Brigham’s next appearance in Stanly County Criminal District Court is scheduled for December 29, 2025.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Accused Individual | Justin Brigham, 44, former co-owner of Sycamore Brewing | Local |
| Initial Arrest Date | Thursday, December 11, 2025 | Local |
| Location of Incident | Stanfield, Stanly County, North Carolina | State-level |
| Initial Charges | Statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary, indecent liberties with a child | State-level |
| Date of Additional Charges | Monday, December 15, 2025 | Local |
| Additional Charges (Child-related) | Three counts of statutory sex offense against a child under 15, one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of soliciting a child by computer | State-level |
| Additional Charge (Adult Assault) | One count of assault inflicting serious bodily injury | State-level |
| Total Felony Charges | Nine | State-level |
| Bond Amount | $11,250,000 | Local |
| Sycamore Brewing Action | Justin Brigham divested; Sarah Taylor assumed full leadership; Brewery not assisting defense | Local |
| Product Removal (State-level) | Sycamore beer pulled from bars and major grocery chains across North Carolina (Food Lion, Whole Foods, Publix, Lowe’s) | State-level |
| Airport Action (Local) | Charlotte Douglas International Airport removed Sycamore Brewing offerings | Local |
| Next Court Appearance | December 29, 2025 | Local |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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