Prosecutors on Friday dropped all charges that had been filed against country music singer Chris Young in connection with an altercation with an Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent at a Nashville bar.
“After a review of all the evidence in this case, the District Attorney's Office has determined that these charges will be dismissed,” said Nashville District Attorney Glenn R. Funk. he said in a statement.
Mr. Young, 38, had been charged with disorderly conduct, assaulting an officer and resisting arrest following Monday night's episode.
“Mr. Young and I are pleased with the district attorney's decision that cleared him of the charges and any wrongdoing,” Bill Ramsey, the musician's attorney, said in a statement.
The episode that led to the charges occurred when Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents were checking IDs at the DawgHouse Saloon, a downtown bar. Mr. Young was accused of punching one of the officers, according to an arrest affidavit filed in criminal court in Nashville. The officers handcuffed Mr. Young after he did not comply with their commands, the affidavit says.
Representatives for Mr. Young previously shared surveillance footage showing the singer was standing next to the bar when officers walked past him.
In the video, as one of the officers walks by, Mr. Young places a hand on him, walks back with the officer and appears to say something. The officer pushes Mr. Young with both hands, and Mr. Young staggers back and hits his back on a corner of the bar table, causing him to briefly fall, as the video shows.
He then stands up, raises both hands in the air and walks away from the officers.
Young rose to stardom after winning the country music reality competition “Nashville Star” in 2006, and his second album, “The Man I Want to Be,” released in 2009, reached the platinum mark in sales in the United States. Since then, he has been a familiar presence on Billboard's country charts.
Juan Yoon and Orlando Mayorquin contributed reports.
