Adult charged with raping child, breaking into Stanfield home<\/p>\n
Published 2:39 pm Wednesday, December 17, 2025<\/p>\n
STANFIELD \u2014 A Charlotte man has been charged with burglary and sexual offenses involving a 13-year-old girl following an incident at a Stanfield home on Dec. 10.<\/p>\n
According to the Stanly County Sheriff\u2019s Office, 44-year-old Justin Tawse Brigham \u2014 a co-owner of Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte \u2014 is accused of entering a residence along Furr Road on Dec. 10 before committing the assault inside the home.<\/p>\n
Following an investigation by responding patrol deputies and members of the sheriff\u2019s office\u2019s Criminal Investigation Division, Brigham was charged with statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary and indecent liberties with a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are very serious crimes and he could go to prison for a long time,\u201d Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco said at a press conference on Dec. 12.<\/p>\n
Investigators said Brigham had been communicating online with the victim via a \u201ccommon social media platform\u201d for approximately two weeks before the incident occurred, noting that he was aware of the victim\u2019s age.<\/p>\n
Brigham appeared in Stanly County District Court on Dec. 11, where his secure bond was set at $10 million. He is being held in the Stanly County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 29.<\/p>\n
If released on bail, Brigham will be required to surrender his passport, remain in North Carolina, avoid contact with the victim and refrain from using social media.<\/p>\n
Deputies responded to the Furr Road residence shortly before midnight after receiving a 911 call reporting that a resident had discovered Brigham inside the house. When officers arrived, they located a nude male in a nearby vehicle and detained him without incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident occurred on Dec. 10 in the evening hours, where deputies responded to a residence where an adult male was found inside of a home in a juvenile\u2019s room,\u201d Crisco said. \u201cLater, deputies found the gentleman away from the home as he was taken into custody for questioning and was later charged.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the ongoing investigation, sheriff\u2019s deputies, with assistance from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, executed a search warrant at an address in south Charlotte on Dec. 11.<\/p>\n
Authorities have seized multiple electronic devices belonging to the suspect as part of the ongoing investigation, and additional charges are anticipated as evidence is reviewed.<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said the investigation remains active and that further details will be released as they become available.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are any other victims, we definitely encourage them to come forward,\u201d Crisco said.<\/p>\n