Arrests of Rich and Famous Artists from the World of Country Music
The following list is of singers from the world of country music and their family members who've been arrested for various run-ins with the law. Please submit any verifiable news accounts about additional country music artists who have had run-ins with the law.
Billy Joe Shaver (Apr. 2, 2007, Lorena,TX) Police issued arrest warrants for Shaver on charges of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm in a prohibited place. This was in connection with an incident outside a tavern, Papa Joe's Texas Saloon in Lorena on March 31, 2007, in which Shaver shot a man, Billy Bryant Coker, in the face with a handgun. Coker's injuries were reported as not life-threatening.
Chris Cagle (May 28, 2008,Nashville,TN) Police arrested Cagle and his girlfriend, Jennifer Tant, for domestic assault. They got in a verbal fight that became physical at Cagle's home. Due to Tennesseedomestic violence laws both parties were considered to be the primary aggressor and both parties were taken into custody.
Daron Norwood (Apr. 16, 2008, Crestview, FL) Daron was arrested for allegedly battering his wife. He was taken into custody by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office two days after leaving a physical altercation with his wife, Kimberly. The couple is legally separated.
David Alan Coe (2008): An incident at the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino inAltoona,Iowaresulted in Coe being arrested.
Doug (Brooks) Stone (Apr. 9, 2009,Panama City Beach,FL) Doug Stone was accused of domestic battery against his 22-year-old son, Dustin Brooks.
Doug Supernaw (Sep. 2002,Brenham,TX) Supernaw was jailed after police say he attacked five officers during a scuffle outside a Brenham bar. Doug was arrested and held on charges of assaulting a police officer, public intoxication and resisting arrest.
Freddy Fender: In May 1960 Fender was arrested for possession of marijuana in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He served nearly three years in the Angola prison farm.
Hank Williams Sr. - On July 31, 1943, Hank Williams Sr. was arrested inGoshen,Alabama. According the town's ledger, Hank was arrested for public drunkenness. His bond was 10 dollars.
Johnny Rodriguez - In 1998, Rodriguez was arrested at his home after shooting and killing a man named Israel Borrego, whom he mistook for a burglar. He was charged with murder but was acquitted by a jury a year later on grounds of self-defense, under Texas law.
Kenny Chesney / Tim McGraw (Jun. 3, 2000,Buffalo,NY): Chesney and Tim McGraw were arrested after Chesney ran away with a mounted reserve deputy's horse and McGraw attacked deputies that tried to corral him. Chesney was charged with disorderly conduct and released on $100 bail. McGraw was charged with second-degree assault, obstructing governmental administration, menacing and resisting arrest. He was released on $2,500 bail.
Mark Collie (Jul. 20, 2007, Nashville, Tennessee): Police charged Collie with driving under the influence after he was found slumped over in his car. Collie was found behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running on theVanderbiltUniversity campus. Collie took a field sobriety test but failed. He refused to take a blood alcohol test.
Mindy McCready (Jul. 2007,Ft. Myers,FL) Mindy was arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest for an apparent scuffle with her mother. The following week, she was taken into custody at theNashvilleInternationalAirportfor violating probation.
Spade Cooley (Apr. 3, 1961, Los Angeles, CA) Cooley was arrested for the murder of his wife, Ella Mae Cooley. Spade was convicted of murder on Aug. 19, 1961.
Ty Herndon (Jul. 1995, Fort Worth, Texas) Ty was arrested at Gateway Park by an undercover male police officer who alleged that he exposed himself. When taken into custody, he was also discovered to be in possession of methamphetamine.
Additional artists who have been arrested:
- George Jones (DUI on a lawn mower)
- Hank Williams Jr. (Assault)
- Johnny Cash (drugs)
- Johnny Paycheck (assault)
- Lynn Anderson (DUI)
- Marty Stewart (DUI)
- Merle Haggard (burglary)
- Ray Price (possession of marijuana)
- Spade Cooley
- Warren Smith (robery)
- Willie Nelson (drugs)
Written by: Richard Bell, Country Music Historian, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Aug./2011.
