Statesville Man Arrested After Video of Child Abuse Circulates Online

STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Statesville man has been arrested following an investigation into a video circulating on social media that authorities say showed a child being abused.

According to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell, a report was filed with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office on January 20, 2026, after several members of the public alerted authorities to a video posted online depicting the abuse of a child. The case was assigned to Detective C.E. James with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.

Investigators say the video showed a small child being repeatedly struck and thrown onto a couch by an adult male. Detectives later identified the suspect as Brian Alexander Johnson, 31, of Statesville.

During the investigation, detectives located the child and determined the child is now in a safe environment with other family members and is not in Johnson’s care.

Sheriff’s Office investigators determined the video was recorded sometime between April and December of 2023. Detectives obtained a copy of the video and conducted interviews with witnesses and family members.

Based on the evidence gathered, investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging Johnson with misdemeanor child abuse.

Johnson was located and arrested by deputies on Wednesday, January 21, and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond, following a decision by Magistrate Imes.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Johnson has prior convictions including misdemeanor possession of marijuana, resisting a public officer, simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation remains ongoing.

All charges are allegations. Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.