Sycamore Brewing Temporarily Closes After Former Co-Owner Accused of Breaking Into Home and Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A popular Charlotte brewery is pressing pause after disturbing allegations surfaced involving one of its former owners.
Sycamore Brewing announced it will temporarily shut down beginning January 5, following the arrest of its former co-owner on multiple felony charges tied to an alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.
What Authorities Say Happened
According to investigators, Justin Brigham, 44, is accused of communicating with the underage girl through Snapchat before allegedly traveling to her family’s home in Stanly County, on Dec. 10.
Law enforcement says Brigham did not have permission to be there and is accused of entering the home and going into the child’s bedroom, where prosecutors allege the sexual assault occurred.
The situation escalated when the girl’s parents reportedly discovered Brigham inside the residence and immediately called 911.
When deputies arrived, they say Brigham was no longer inside the home. Officers later located him nearby in a vehicle, where he was allegedly found without clothing.
Investigators also allege that during the incident, Brigham assaulted another person at the home, leading to an additional violent charge.
Charges He Is Facing
Brigham has been charged with:
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Multiple counts of statutory sex offense involving a child under 15
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Second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
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Soliciting a child by computer
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Assault inflicting serious bodily injury
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Because of the severity of the allegations, Brigham was initially jailed under a $10 million secured bond, which was later increased to $11.25 million after additional charges were filed.
During a court appearance in late December, prosecutors moved the case forward for grand jury consideration, with indictments expected to be reviewed in early January.
Brigham’s next court date is scheduled for later this month. He remains in custody.
Brewery Cuts Ties Immediately
On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Sarah Taylor, the current owner of Sycamore Brewing, confirmed Brigham has been fully removed from the business and no longer has any ownership stake.
Taylor says she has taken over sole ownership of the brewery and has also initiated divorce proceedings, calling the situation devastating on both a personal and professional level.
She described the temporary closure as necessary to give staff and the community time to process what happened and to decide what the future of the space should look like.
SYCAMORE BREWING FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
Since the arrest became public, several Charlotte-area businesses have publicly distanced themselves from Sycamore Brewing, while others have redirected proceeds to nonprofits as a show of support for victims.
