In a case that has stunned the Charlotte community and the broader craft beer industry, Justin Tawse Brigham, the 44-year-old co-founder and co-owner of Sycamore Brewing, was arrested on December 11, 2025. He faces multiple felony charges, including statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary, and indecent liberties with a child.
The allegations involve the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in her family home in Stanly County, North Carolina. The high-profile nature of the accused and the horrific details of the alleged crime have triggered widespread outrage, immediate business repercussions, and renewed conversations about child safety.
The Allegations and Arrest
The incident reportedly occurred overnight on December 10-11, 2025, in the small town of Stanfield, located about 30 miles east of Charlotte. According to the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office, the victim’s parents discovered an unknown adult male in their daughter’s bedroom around midnight and immediately contacted authorities.
Deputies arrived quickly and located Justin Tawse Brigham nearby, allegedly naked inside his vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident. Arrest warrants state that Brigham broke into the residence with intent to commit a felony and engaged in sexual acts, including vaginal intercourse, with the 13-year-old while other family members were asleep in the home.
During his first court appearance on December 11, District Court Judge Matthew Osman described the allegations as “so egregious” and set a secured bond at $10 million—one of the highest in recent local history. Additional conditions include surrendering his passport, no contact with the victim or minors, a prohibition on leaving North Carolina, and a ban on social media use. Justin Tawse Brigham’s next scheduled court date is December 29, 2025.
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Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco held a press conference on December 12, confirming that investigators believe Brigham met the victim approximately two weeks earlier through a common social media platform. While emphasizing that the investigation remains active and additional charges are possible, Crisco stated there is currently no evidence suggesting involvement by Brigham’s wife or the brewery itself. He urged any potential additional victims to come forward and encouraged parents to monitor their children’s online interactions closely.
Sycamore Brewing’s Immediate Response and Leadership Transition
Sycamore Brewing, established in 2013 by Justin Tawse Brigham and his wife Sarah Taylor Brigham, had grown into one of Charlotte’s most recognizable and successful independent breweries. With a bustling taproom in the popular South End district, wide distribution throughout the Carolinas and beyond, and plans for further expansion, the brand represented a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene.
The arrest forced an abrupt and decisive response from the company. On December 11, Sarah Taylor Brigham posted a statement on the brewery’s official Instagram account:
“I am devastated by the charges against Justin and the pain this has inflicted on our family and others. 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.” With this announcement, Justin Tawse Brigham was completely removed from any ownership or operational role.
Sarah Taylor Brigham, who has publicly reverted to using her maiden name in recent communications, now leads the company as its sole owner. The brewery has made no additional public statements since the initial post, focusing instead on internal operations amid the crisis. Authorities executed a search warrant at the couple’s Midtown Charlotte home on the afternoon of December 12, though no further details about evidence recovered have been released.
Community Reaction and Broader Implications
News of the arrest spread rapidly across social media and local outlets, prompting swift and visceral backlash from bars, restaurants, retailers, and consumers throughout North Carolina and neighboring states. Numerous establishments announced they were immediately removing Sycamore products from taps and shelves.
Several venues posted dramatic demonstrations of their decision—pouring remaining kegs down drains and pledging to donate any proceeds from leftover inventory to organizations supporting survivors of sexual assault. Event cancellations followed, including collaborations and tap takeovers scheduled in the coming weeks.
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Child advocacy organizations have used the case as a sobering reminder of the dangers children face, particularly online. Mary Kathryn Elkins of Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center in Charlotte spoke to local media about the importance of proactive conversations with children. “We need to be talking about child safety. We need to be talking directly to our children to give them the tools also to keep themselves safe,” Elkins said. She stressed the availability of counseling and support services for survivors of child sexual abuse, emphasizing that early intervention can play a critical role in long-term healing.
The case also highlights ongoing concerns about predatory behavior facilitated by social media platforms. Sheriff Crisco specifically noted the short timeframe between the alleged initial online contact and the in-person crime, underscoring how quickly such situations can escalate. As the legal process moves forward, the Charlotte craft beer community—known for its tight-knit and supportive nature—faces difficult questions about reputation, accountability, and recovery.
While Sarah Taylor Brigham works to steer the company through uncharted waters, attention remains focused on the victim and her family, with hopes that justice will be served and that greater awareness will help prevent future tragedies. This story serves as a stark reminder that horrific crimes can be committed by individuals in positions of prominence and trust. The coming weeks and months will likely bring more details as the investigation continues and the case proceeds through the courts.
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