Alabama Shakes drummer Steve Johnson was indicted this week on child abuse charges and was ordered to be held at Limestone County Jail in Athens, Alabama.

The 35-year-old was arrested Wednesday on charges that include, “willful torture, willful abuse and cruelly beating or otherwise willfully maltreating a child under 18," according to reports.

In March 2020, Johnson pleaded guilty to violating a protective order. He received a suspended sentence of one year in jail and 24-months probation, according to local reports. At the time, the Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones requested for the court to vacate the suspended sentence because Johnson “failed to avoid injurious or vicious habits.”

Jones also alleged the musician “failed to avoid persons or places of disreputable or harmful conduct or character.”

The order was obtained by Johnson’s ex-wife, who accused him of breaking into her home, harassing, threatening, stalking, and choking her.

The couple was married for three and a half years. They divorced in 2018.

Alabama Shakes has remained on hiatus since 2018 when lead singer Brittany Howard decided to focus on her solo project “Jaime.” The band, which recorded two critically acclaimed studio albums, formed in 2009 and has won four Grammy Awards. Their most recent win was at the 2018 Grammys for best American roots performance with their song “Killer Diller Blues.”

Johnson remains in custody with bond set at $21,500. His arraignment has been scheduled for April 7.

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Representational Image. pixabay
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