Chase Matthew moved fast and cut ties immediately. His Instagram statement emphasized shock, disgust, and zero tolerance—framing himself as another victim of someone who "slipped through the cracks." The optics: a young star who had no idea what his employee was doing offstage.
Sources close to the BBQ & Barrels event say cops didn't rush the stage—they waited until Richards finished performing before moving in, reportedly because they believed he could be armed. That calculated approach suggests this wasn't some surprise arrest; investigators had been building this case for months.
Richards was arrested Saturday at BBQ & Barrels in Owensboro, Kentucky after performing with Chase Matthew. He faces charges of sodomy and incest involving a person under 18 by someone three or more years older—offenses allegedly occurring when his victim was 12 (2020) and 14 (2022). The victim's mother reported the abuse to Winchester Police Department in November 2025.
This one isn't going away. With an actual confession on record—"I made an awful mistake," Richards allegedly told the victim's mother—and charges that carry up to a decade behind bars, his career as a touring musician is already over. The real question now: what did Matthew's team know about their bassist before hiring him?
Breaking news out of Kentucky that's sending shockwaves through Nashville's country music scene: Carsen Richards, the 22-year-old bassist for rising star Chase Matthew, has been arrested and charged with child sex crimes after cops say he sexually abused an autistic boy on two separate occasions in 2020 and 2022. The Tennessee-born guitarist was taken into custody Saturday evening at the BBQ & Barrels festival in Owensboro—and authorities reveal they deliberately waited until he'd finished his set before making the move, reportedly over concerns he could be armed.
According to court documents obtained by the Owensboro Times, Richards is facing charges of sodomy and incest involving a person under 18 by someone three or more years older. The alleged abuse occurred when the victim was ages 12 and 14—making him significantly younger than his accused attacker. The boy has been diagnosed with Level 1 autism, the lowest support level according to Vanderbilt University standards, which adds another devastating dimension to these allegations.
The investigation traces back several months. LEX18 reports that the victim's mother first reported the alleged abuse to Winchester Police Department in November of last year (2025). During a police interview conducted the following month, the child himself confirmed the claims—providing investigators with enough corroboration to move forward.
Then, on February 12, 2026, the woman confronted Richards outside his Hendersonville apartment. Court documents reveal what happened next: "There is nothing more I have regretted in my life," he reportedly told her before adding, "I made an awful mistake." The footage circulating on TikTok shows the moment cops closed in—Richards surrounded by officers after walking offstage at the Owensboro festival. Chase Matthew's team has since severed ties with their bassist.
In a lengthy Instagram statement posted Tuesday, the "Love You Again" singer described learning of the allegations as one of the most shocking experiences of his life. "When I first heard the allegations, I was sick to my stomach," he wrote. "I would never associate myself with a person I think could even be remotely capable of something like this." He stopped short of acknowledging whether any background checks were conducted before hiring Richards.
If convicted on all counts, Richards faces up to 10 years in prison—a steep fall for a young musician whose career had been gaining momentum alongside one of country's fastest-rising names. The case remains under active investigation.
