Rucker’s arrest stems from a traffic stop in February 2023
Details have emerged surrounding the arrest of Darius Rucker in Tennessee. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office charged the country star with two counts of simple possession/casual exchange and violation of registration after a February 19, 2023 traffic stop, according to Nashville’s WKRN.
The arrest affidavit says a deputy pulled Rucker over on Murfreesboro Road near Breckenridge after suspecting his plates had expired when he was spotted driving his GMC pickup with the previous version of the current Tennessee license plates. The tag displayed on his vehicle expired on July 31, 2022, seven months before the incident.
The deputy states he smelled a “strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle” after approaching Rucker. The Hootie & the Blowfish frontman admitted the last time he had smoked weed in the vehicle “probably yesterday.”
Authorities conducted a vehicle search where they found 14 unstamped purple pills in a jar — which he claims were given to him by his girlfriend — and a black THC pen. A small marijuana blunt was found in Rucker’s pocket, but he was released from the scene without charges, pending identification of the pills.
Analysis of the pills by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed they were Psilocyn, a scheduled I controlled substance.
A warrant was issued for Rucker’s arrest in December, but the “Wagon Wheel” singer didn’t turn himself in until yesterday (Thurs, Feb 1st). Rucker was released from custody a few hours later after posting bond for $10,500.
Rucker’s attorney, Mark Puryear, tells the publication, “Darius Rucker is fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor charges.”
In December, Rucker was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His latest album, Carolyn’s Boy, was released fall. He has planned appearances this weekend at the Grand Ole Opry before launching a European tour in April and a North American summer tour.
Rucker first achieved multi-platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their double diamond-certified debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top ten best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus ten No. 1 singles on country radio and 11 gold, platinum or multi-platinum certified hits.
