Steve Johnson.Photo: Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
Achild abuse chargeagainst former Alabama Shakes drummer Steve Johnson has been dismissed, eight months after Johnson’s arrest, according to his lawyer.
“Steve Johnson maintained his innocence throughout the course of this entire ordeal. Just like anyone charged with a crime, Mr. Johnson had to wait for his day in court,” Lough and Helstowski said in a statement. “People are quick to make judgments and assumptions based on catchy headlines when cases like this first surface. We’re thankful that after more than a year this allegation has been put to rest and Mr. Johnson’s name has been cleared of any wrongdoing.”
Johnson, 36, was arrested in March in Limestone County, and was held at Limestone County Jail on a $21,500 bond, according tojail records at the time.
He was indicted on charges of willful torture, willful abuse and cruelly beating or otherwise willfully maltreating a child under the age of 18, CBS affiliateWHNTreported.
Steve Johnson.Mike Windle/WireImage
Lough told theAssociated Pressthat the charges were related to a “spanking incident and nothing more.”
Johnson played drums for Alabama Shakes from its formation in 2009 to its 2018 hiatus, which came when lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard left to pursue a solo career.
The group, which also included guitarist Heath Fogg and bassist Zac Cockrell, has won fourGrammy Awardsand been nominated for five others, including best new artist.
Johnson pled guilty to the misdemeanor charge in March 2020 and received a suspended sentence of one year in jail and 24 months on probation, multiple outlets reported.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
