Chase Matthews‘ bassist was arrested after a concert on Saturday night (May 9). Carsen Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn. is accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old autistic child.
Chase Matthew Shares Statement After His Band Member’s Arrest
On social media, Matthew acknowledged the arrest. “When I first heard the allegations, I was sick to my stomach,” he says.
“I would never associate myself with a person I think could even be remotely capable of something like this.”
- Chase Matthew’s most popular song is “Darlin’.”
- Earlier this year, he played the CRS New Faces show.
- Richards is also listed as the singer’s music director.
Richards was arrested in Owensboro, Ky. after the BBQ & Barrels concert, which Matthew headlined. The Owensboro Times reports that the 22-year-old was charged with two counts of second-degree sodomy and two counts of incest involving a person under 18 by a person three or more years older.
The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer confirms the charges.
The alleged incidents occurred in December 2020 and December 2022 and were reported to police last November.
The alleged victim was just 12 years old in 2020. Documents state this person was diagnosed as Autistic Level 1 by Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Related: 11 Country Stars Charged With Truly Horrific Crimes
A warrant was issued last Tuesday and police arrested Richards on Saturday night. He was booked into the Daviess County Detention Center and is being held on $75,000 cash bond.
“As of his arrest this past weekend,” Matthews writes, “this individual was immediately removed from the band and is no longer associated with me or my team in any capacity.”
“And I want to be very clear: I do not support or tolerate behavior of this kind whatsoever.”
Matthew’s next concert is this weekend in Arizona. He says he learned about the charges as they became public and is trusting the legal process.
“My heart breaks for anyone affected,” he writes.
Country Music’s Most Horrific Crimes
These 11 country stars were locked up for committing awful crimes. Some turned their life around while others (like No. 10) never seemed to have learned their lesson.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
