Bassist Arrested for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minor in Kentucky

Carsen Richards, a bassist for country singer Chase Matthew, was arrested in Kentucky on allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor. The 22-year-old musician was taken into custody immediately after a performance at the BBQ and Barrels event. Chase Matthew responded to the situation, stating he was unaware of the allegations and confirmed Richards' immediate removal from the band. The charges stem from incidents in Winchester, Kentucky, and Richards is currently held on a $75,000 bond. Matthew condemned the alleged behavior, emphasizing his zero tolerance for such actions.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 12, 2026, 03:25 IST

Incident Overview

Carsen Richards, a bassist known for his work with country artist Chase Matthew, has been detained in Kentucky on serious charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. Local news outlets report that the 22-year-old musician was arrested on Saturday in Owensboro, Kentucky, right after his performance at the BBQ and Barrels event on May 9. It was noted that Richards was taken into custody immediately after leaving the stage, preventing him from joining his bandmates on their tour bus.

Richards has been linked to Chase Matthew’s band for a considerable period, as indicated by his social media accounts. According to court documents referenced in various reports, the allegations stem from incidents in Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky. WKYT has reported that Richards is facing charges related to sodomy involving a person under the age of 18. However, law enforcement has not disclosed additional information regarding the specifics of the alleged incident or the context of the charges.

Currently, Richards is being held at the Daviess County Detention Center with a bond set at $75,000. Following the arrest, Chase Matthew publicly addressed the situation, stating he was unaware of the allegations prior to the arrest and confirmed that Richards was immediately dismissed from the band. Matthew expressed his disbelief, stating, "The reality is, you don’t always know what someone may be doing outside of your workplace, and nothing would have made me believe this was a possibility." He further emphasized his disapproval of such behavior, asserting, "I do not support or tolerate behavior of this kind whatsoever."