Steve Johnson, the American drummer in Alabama Shakes, has been released on bail following child abuse charges made against him.
In March, Johnson was arrested after a grand jury indicted him on charges of “wilful torture, wilful abuse, and cruelly beating or otherwise wilfully maltreating a child under the age of 18”.
The musician was taken to Limestone County Jail in Alabama following his arrest, with his bond set at $26,500 (approximately £19,289).
Johnson’s lawyer Nick Lough has maintained that the drummer is innocent of all charges, saying: “Steve Johnson maintains his innocence on all of these allegations. And that’s what they are, allegations.”
Johnson had initially been denied bail due to an arrest warrant for violating a previous protective order.
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Speaking about his client’s release on bail, Lough told local news outlet WAAY: “This just came out of the blue and took everybody by surprise. It took him by surprise, it took us by surprise and we immediately tried to take action on it and he’s been sitting in jail for 15 days unable to get out ever since. This is a great day for Steven Johnson.”
In 2019, the drummer was previously arrested for violating a protection from abuse order.
Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge and received a one-year suspended prison sentence and 24 months on probation.
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. The Independent could not find a public response from Johnson to these allegations.
Johnson’s new trial is scheduled for 19 May.
Alabama Shakes, a Grammy Award-winning band, has been on hiatus since 2018 when frontwoman Brittany Howard decided to pursue her solo career.
