Things aren't looking so good for
Uncle Kracker.
The former Kid Rock protege, whose real name is Matthew Shafer, was arrested at Embassy Suites in Cary early this morning for a second-degree sex offense charge (learn what that means
here),
the News & Observer reports. That's his mug shot to the right.
Shafer is currently being held at the Wake County Jail on a $5 million bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for 2 p.m. today.
The charge stems from an incident at The Depot in Raleigh last night, where Shafer was scheduled to perform.
Sex offense charges are, of course, no joking matter, but if you were at the Depot last night or have a friend who was, please comment and let us know what the hell happened out there! If you wish to be anonymous, drop us an email at triangle_music@hotmail.com.
Update 9:45 a.m.: Here are some more details from Jim Sughrue of the Raleigh PD.
"In the early morning hours today, a Raleigh Police Department officer was working in an off-duty capacity at the Ess Lounge at 327 W. Davie St. A 26 year-old female patron approached the officer and reported that a suspect had committed a sexual act against her while she was inside the establishment.
After subsequent investigation by the off-duty officer and by other members of the department, a warrant was obtained charging Matthew L. Shafer with second degree forcible sex offense. The suspect was located and detained at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary by members of the Cary Police Department until Raleigh officers arrived at that location and served the warrant. Shafer was then transported to the Wake County Jail by the RPD.
The victim and the suspect were not acquaintances."
UPDATE 10:29 a.m.: Some people are questioning why bail is set so high in this case. Well, it turns out that in a moment of sheer genius, Shafer told cops he was going to hightail it back to Michigan. According to court documents ... "arresting officers informed this court that [Kracker] made statements that he would immediately fly back to Michigan to avoid charges."
TMZ.com has a pdf of court documents available
here.
UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: Swear to God, my last Uncle Kracker post today, barring any huge developments. A judge just reduced his bond to $75,000 with the stipulation that he have no contact with his accuser. He'll be back in court on Sept. 24. Seeing as his next tour date isn't until Aug. 31, my guess is he's gonna be getting his ass home to Detroit real quick.
Pop rockers Sugar Ray are taking their annual Under the Sun tour across the U.S again this summer and this time around they'll be joined by Better Than Ezra, Eve 6 and Uncle Kracker.
Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth are gathering the 1990s and early 2000s pop rockers again in 2014 for another iteration of their Under the Sun tour, which will this time include Blues Traveler and Uncle Kracker.
Things aren't looking so good for Uncle Kracker.