Executive Summary
- Justin Brigham is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl after meeting her on Snapchat.
- Charges include statutory sex offense, sexual exploitation of a minor, and burglary.
- A judge increased Brigham’s bond to over $11 million during a December 29 hearing.
- The case has been submitted to a grand jury, with indictment proceedings set for January 5.
CHARLOTTE — The criminal case against Justin Brigham, the 44-year-old former co-owner of Sycamore Brewing, was submitted to a grand jury on Monday following severe allegations involving a minor. Brigham is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Stanly County after reportedly grooming the victim through social media channels.
According to prosecutors, Brigham established contact with the minor on Snapchat before breaking into her residence. Authorities allege that the sexual assault occurred during this home invasion. Court documents indicate that Brigham faces a significant number of felony charges, including 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.
During a court appearance on December 29, the presiding judge reportedly increased Brigham’s bond to more than $11 million, citing the nature of the additional charges filed earlier in the month. The case has now been forwarded to the grand jury, which is scheduled to convene on January 5 to vote on a formal indictment.
Procedural Legal Outlook
The submission of evidence to the grand jury represents a critical juncture in the judicial timeline, moving the proceedings from preliminary hearings toward a potential Superior Court trial. The exceptionally high bond amount reflects the judiciary’s assessment of the gravity of the charges and potential flight risk. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
