A man currently awaiting an August 19 superior court date in Halifax County for first-degree murder and other related counts is wanted for misdemeanor sexual battery in a case which occurred Wednesday.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Shane Guyant said Jonathan James Brown, 36, was identified as the person who grabbed a 16-year-old girl on the buttocks in an inappropriate and assaultive manner while inside a business on Premier Boulevard Wednesday evening.  Guyant said Brown is currently out on bond.

He is awaiting a superior court date in the January 2021 shooting death of 36-year-old Curtis Graham. That fatal shooting occurred on January 16 of 2021 at Windchase Apartments.

Brown’s brother, Joshua, was also charged in that crime and he awaits a July 8 superior court date, according to the state court calendar.

Guyant said Jonathan Brown is also wanted for felony failure to register as a sex offender by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. He has been on the sex offender registry since December 2013 for sexual battery.  

Brown also has an April 2022 charge of felony possession of weapon by a prisoner and an extensive criminal history in Halifax and Northampton counties which includes:

March 2019 — Felony breaking and entering to terrorize

December 2015 — Felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle

August 2015 — Misdemeanor obstructing justice

December 2013 —  Misdemeanor sexual battery

August 2012 — Misdemeanor resist public officer

May 2012 — Misdemeanor communicating threats, misdemeanor injury to personal property and misdemeanor resist public officer

January 2010 —  Misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and felony speeding to elude arrest

May 2008 — Misdemeanor indecent exposure

March 2006 — Misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon

August and December 2005 — Misdemeanor simple assault

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or via its website