A former brewery owner with family and business ties to Bermuda has been charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl in North Carolina, after he was allegedly found naked in her bedroom by her parents.

Justin Brigham, 44, is charged with statutory rape of a child, indecent liberties with a child and first-degree burglary, along with six other felony offences, in relation to an incident which allegedly took place last week.

Mr Brigham is married to a Bermudian, Sarah Taylor, with whom he co-owned North Carolina’s Sycamore Brewery.

Stanly County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement the day before, detailing how law enforcement officers responded to a 911 call to a Stanfield, North Carolina, address shortly before midnight on December 10.

It said: “The 911 call was reporting that an unknown adult male had been located in a 13-year-old juvenile female’s bedroom by her parents.

“Upon arrival, a male who was completely undressed was located in a nearby vehicle and subsequently detained without incident.

“After investigation by responding patrol units, as well as members of the Criminal Investigation Division, 44-year-old Justin Tawse Brigham was charged with the following: first degree burglary, statutory rape of a child by an adult [and] indecent liberties with a child.”

The statement said Mr Brigham appeared in District Court in Stanly County, where his secure bond was set at $10 million, and he was being held at the Stanly County Detention Center.

The Charlotte Observerreported on Tuesday that Mr Brigham faced six further charges, including felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury.

It cited a warrant alleging that Mr Brigham assaulted a man on December 10 by grabbing and twisting the man’s genitals, causing extreme pain.

Five other felonies related to allegations of sexual crimes with a minor, including three additional felony counts of statutory sexual offence with a child.

Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco told a press conference on Friday that Mr Brigham met his victim online for the first time two weeks ago.

The Observer reported that court records accused him of using Snapchat and text messages to communicate with her.

Sycamore Brewing is one of North Carolina’s largest breweries, with taprooms in Charlotte’s South End and airport.

It brews craft ales and sells packaged beers, including a Bermuda-inspired one called Bermy Lager, which is sold on the island.

North Carolina news outlets have reported that grocery stores and bars in the US, including Food Lion, Lowes Foods and Publix, have announced they are removing Sycamore craft beers from their shelves.

A 2015 article in Charlotte Magazine said Ms Taylor met her husband in Bermuda, when he was working here as crew on a catamaran.

The article said he grew up in North Carolina but had spent summers on the island, where his grandparents lived, since childhood.

Ms Taylor issued a statement on Sycamore Brewing’s Instagram account after her husband’s arrest, in which she said: “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.”

In a later post, according to the Observer, the company referred to Ms Taylor’s earlier statement, saying it “came from a devastated wife and a mother trying to make sense of something unthinkable”.

The company described Mr Brigham as “our cofounder and former owner” and said his alleged crimes were “despicable”.

• Victims of sexual assault in Bermuda should contact the Bermuda Police Service at 211 or 295-0011 (or 911 for emergencies) and ask for the Sexual Assault Response Team.

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