Alabama Shakes drummer Steve Johnson arrested on child abuse charges

Johnson faces charges of wilful torture, wilful abuse and cruelly beating or otherwise wilfully maltreating a child

(2018 Invision)

The drummer of Alabama Shakes has been taken into police custody on child abuse charges.

Steven William Johnson was arrested on Wednesday (24 March) in Limestone County, Alabama, on charges of “wilful torture, wilful abuse, and cruelly beating or otherwise wilfully maltreating a child under the age of 18”.

The 35-year-old was taken into custody after a Limestone County Grand Jury indicted him on these child abuse charges.

Bond was set at $21,500 and an arraignment date was scheduled for 7 April.

The Independent has contacted a representative of Johnson’s for comment. 

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In 2019, the drummer was previously arrested for violating a protection from abuse order.

The protection order was filed by his wife, who accused Johnson of threatening, harassing, stalking and choking her following their 2018 divorce, according to Rolling Stone. 

Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge and received a one-year suspended prison sentence and 24 months on probation.

The Grammy Award-winning band has been on hiatus since 2018 when frontwoman Brittany Howard decided to pursue her solo career.