On social media Saturday night, Sycamore Brewing called the alleged acts of its owner in a child rape case “horrifying,” “despicable” and “unforgivable.”
“We are heartbroken for the victim,” brewery officials said. “No person should have to endure what she did. We realize that words cannot fix what has been done, but want everyone to know that our hearts are completely broken for her.”
Brewery co-founder Justin Tawse Brigham, 44, was charged Thursday with three felonies, including statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary, and indecent liberties with a child. The victim is 13 years old.
Brigham was in the Stanly County jail on $10 million bond.
Brigham met his victim online for the first time two weeks ago, Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco said at a news conference Friday. “It’s our understanding that it’s a social media platform that’s common,” the sheriff said without naming the platform.
Brigham was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, according to an arrest warrant. The warrant said Brigham was accused of breaking into a Stanfield house and raping the girl while others were home. Stanfield is 27 miles east of Charlotte.
“This should speak volumes,” the sheriff said about Brigham being accused of first meeting the victim online. “This should be a huge eye-opening experience. Parents need to pay attention to their kids.”
New statement from Sycamore Brewing
In its unsigned statement, Sycamore Brewery acknowledged the community’s pain and anger over the charges. Several major grocery store chains and bars in Charlotte and elsewhere in the state said they were dropping the brand in the aftermath of the charges.
“For our community, friends, family, neighbors — we realize that trust has been violated. We know you are angry. We are angry too,” the brewery stated.
“These are unforgivable actions,” the company added. “Justin made horrible decisions, and now he must deal with the consequences. “We hope that justice is rapid and allows for the victim and her family to begin the healing process.”
Sarah Taylor, who co-founded the brewery with her husband, said on social media Thursday that she is “devastated” by the rape charge “and the pain this has inflicted on our family and others.”
She said she will assume “full leadership of the company,” effective immediately.
In its Saturday post, the company referred to Taylor’s earlier statement, saying it “came from a devastated wife and a mother trying to make sense of something unthinkable.” Taylor is trying to focus on “her duties to both a shattered household and a shattered community to bring both through this situation.”
Brewery workers remained at work “amidst the chaos and uncertainty,” Sycamore stated. “Endless people have been impacted by Justin’s actions.”
Sycamore Brewing will not assist in Brigham’s defense, according to the company, which said it hopes the legal system will hold Brigham accountable.
“This is about doing right by all of those who have been affected by this — first and foremost, by the victim and her family,” the company stated. “But, also by Sarah and her daughter and by the innocent people whose livelihoods depend on Sycamore.”
Judge: High bond intended ‘to protect the community’
The judge Thursday said Brigham “does not have a significant criminal history, traffic offenses and a shoplifting charge that the D.A. dismissed without leave,” according to court documents. “However, the court finds that the facts alleged are so egregious, that the defendant went to the victim’s home in the middle of the night, and the age of the victim, the court is setting this bond to protect the community.”
Brigham’s next appearance in Stanly County Criminal District Court is scheduled for 9 a.m., Dec. 29, court records show.
Observer editor Adam Bell contributed to this report
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