Federal court rejects appeal for Monroe man convicted in stock market investment scheme

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal appeals court has upheld the prison sentence of a Monroe man who defrauded at least 10 people of more than $200,000 by falsely claiming he could invest their money in the stock market with guaranteed returns.

The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Christon Brewer’s 33-month sentence was appropriate, rejecting his arguments that the trial court improperly enhanced his punishment for abusing a position of trust.

Brewer, 39, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to wire fraud after operating an investment scheme from 2018 to 2022. He was sentenced in August 2024 to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay approximately $210,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, Brewer falsely portrayed himself as a wealthy and experienced investor to friends and acquaintances, promising he would invest their funds in stocks or a cannabis store in Miami, Florida. Instead, he spent the money on personal expenses.

To maintain the deception, Brewer sent victims text messages with fake investment updates and screenshots showing fabricated returns. When victims sought their money back, he made excuses such as bank closures or transfer limits, and sometimes threatened those who pressed him for payment.

On appeal, Brewer challenged a two-level sentencing enhancement for abuse of trust, arguing it should only apply to defendants who actually hold fiduciary positions, not imposters. The appeals court disagreed.

The court noted that Brewer had represented himself to victims as a day trader and financial advisor, and even admitted during his sentencing that he “took people’s trust” and “let them down.”

The appeals court ruled that federal sentencing guidelines apply to imposters who falsely assume positions of trust, reasoning that from the victim’s perspective, the harm is the same whether the defendant holds legitimate credentials or not.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina and investigated by the FBI.