Juvenile testifies at Briggs trial: “I felt uncomfortable… disgusted.”

REXBURG — A 14-year-old boy told a courtroom Wednesday, Dec. 9 he had been sexually abused between 20 to 45 times by Brandon Briggs of Archer.

The juvenile witness, who was 12 years old at the time of the alleged abuse, took the stand on the second day of the Briggs trial.

Briggs is facing ten felony counts, including multiple charges of lewd conduct with a child under 16, sexual abuse by soliciting a minor under 16 to participate in a sexual act and enticing through the internet.

The boy, then a Madison County-resident, testified that he had worked for Briggs between 2013 and 2014. His work consisted of chopping, stacking, and loading firewood at Briggs’ home. The boy said he wasn’t alone around Briggs often. Most times other adults or kids his age would be present while he was working, or on trips with Briggs.

The boy recounted the first instance of abuse took place in Briggs’ home when he went to get a soda from the defendants room after working outside.

He said Briggs entered the room and pulled the boy’s pants down and began touching his private parts. The boy asked to go home seconds after the incident began, and claims Briggs continued to touch him inappropriately, “with his hands and mouth,” for about 10 minutes.

The witness said afterward he felt afraid. He also described feeling “uncomfortable, weird, and disgusted.” The witness told the court he didn’t notify anyone of the incident when it first happened.

Deputy Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood told the courtroom Briggs would make “deals, or bets,” with the boy. The deals involved Briggs laying on top of the boy for 10 minutes, in exchange for $20, or something the boy wanted.

The boy said Briggs proposed the deals on numerous occasions. The boy claims he would decline the “deals” by saying “no,” or “I’m good,” but the abuse still occurred. The witness said Briggs would provide him with alcohol and cigarettes frequently per his request. Briggs would also give him vodka, which he says he did not request.

The boy told the court he is unsure of the exact number of times Briggs allegedly assaulted him, but knows it happened over 20 times. He said it may have happened up to 40 or 45 times all on separate occasions at Briggs’ home.

During his opening statements, Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Sid Brown called Briggs a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” that used money and gifts to lure boys into a situations to be abused.

Stephanie Schoen-Oor, a child specialist/mental health therapist, also testified in court Wednesday about the tendencies of sexually abused children. Several investigators spoke about the details of the investigation, including a search of Briggs Facebook account and a search of his home.

More witnesses will testify Thursday, Dec. 10, as the trial continues.

EastIdahoNews.com will have updates as the trial progresses, and as new information is released.