An aspiring country singer from Alabama, who boasted about his attendance at the 2024 CMA Awards, is now facing the prospect of jail time after prosecutors discovered he violated the conditions of his bond. Austin Tanner, 38, was indicted earlier this year on charges of fraud and theft, and his recent trip to Nashville to attend the star-studded event has prompted legal authorities to take action.
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Tanner after it was revealed that he traveled to Nashville with his wife, Skyla, without first seeking approval from the court. The trip violated a critical condition of his bond, which stipulates that he cannot leave the state of Alabama without permission from the court.
Tanner, who has been out on a $20,000 bond since being indicted in April, shared several photos on social media from the red carpet at the CMA Awards, where he posed in front of the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Although Tanner made it clear that he was not invited to the event itself, his posts, which included a glowing caption about the experience, caught the attention of authorities.
“✨ First CMA Awards ✨ Last night was nothing short of magical as we walked the red carpet at the CMA Awards. This moment marked a dream come true!” Tanner wrote in a Nov. 21 post, alongside a series of photos of him and his wife at the event.
Bond Violation Leads to Arrest Warrant
Tanner’s bond violation came to light when the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion on Nov. 25 to revoke his bond. According to the motion, Tanner had been explicitly forbidden from leaving Alabama without prior court approval.
Assistant District Attorney Clay Rossi highlighted Tanner’s social media posts as evidence of his disregard for the travel restrictions placed on him. Rossi noted that Tanner had previously sought and received permission to travel to Florida for business in June, indicating that he was aware of the conditions tied to his release. Tanner’s actions, therefore, were seen as a deliberate violation of those terms.
View this post on Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT
“Given that the defendant was well versed in the travel conditions of his bond, and given his public disregard for those restrictions, the state seeks to revoke his bond,” Rossi wrote in the motion, which was obtained by What’s Trending.
On Nov. 26, a judge granted the motion to revoke Tanner’s bond, and an arrest warrant was issued. Tanner is now facing the possibility of being taken into custody, pending a hearing scheduled for Dec. 4.
Legal Troubles and Theft Charges
Tanner was indicted by a grand jury in April on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree insurance fraud, theft of property, and attempted theft. According to documents obtained by What’s Trending, Tanner had been under investigation for these crimes, which led to the grand jury indictment earlier this year.
Although the aspiring singer has not been convicted of the charges, the legal battles have significantly impacted his career. Tanner was released on a $20,000 bond after his indictment, and his case has drawn public attention due to his aspirations in the country music industry. His website describes him as being “on the cusp of country music fame,” and he released a single titled “All We Need” in March.
Despite the legal troubles, Tanner’s posts on social media suggested that he remained optimistic about his career. His appearance at the CMA Awards, even though he was not invited to the ceremony itself, appeared to be a way for him to share a glamorous moment with his followers and fans.
Legal Representation Responds
Tanner’s attorney, Frederick Helmsing, responded to the bond violation motion, explaining that the hearing scheduled for Nov. 21 had been rescheduled due to “the complexity of the case, issues over matters of law, and ongoing investigations.” Helmsing also claimed that he was unaware of Tanner’s plans to travel out of state to attend the CMA Awards.
ADVERTISEMENT
Helmsing did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the case, but the situation has certainly cast a shadow over Tanner’s burgeoning music career. The country singer’s legal troubles are now intertwined with his attempts to break into the country music scene, and the outcome of the court hearings in December will likely have a significant impact on his future.
What’s Next for Austin Tanner?
The legal saga surrounding Tanner is far from over, and the Dec. 4 hearing will be crucial in determining whether his bond is reinstated or if he will face further consequences for violating the conditions set by the court. If his bond is revoked, Tanner could face jail time, which would delay any potential progress in his music career.
As the case continues to unfold, Tanner’s supporters and fans are left to wonder whether the aspiring country singer’s dreams of stardom will be dashed by his legal issues or whether he will be able to overcome these hurdles and continue his pursuit of a career in country music.
