RALEIGH — Matthew Shafer, aka rock-country musician Uncle Kracker, was arrested early Friday morning for second-degree sex offense stemming from an incident at a nightclub, authorities said.
Shafer was arrested at the Embassy Suites in Cary, said Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue. The arrest warrant states, “Arresting officers informed this court that (Shafer) made statements that he would immediately fly back to Michigan to avoid charges. His address in Michigan is unknown. He is a nationally known singer with major assets at his disposal… this court considers him to be an exceptionally high flight risk.” He is being held on a $5 million bond.
Sughrue said a Raleigh police officer was working off-duty at the Ess Lounge on West Davie Street early Friday morning when a 26-year-old female patron approached the officer. She reported that a suspect had committed a sexual act against her while she was inside the establishment. She was not an acquaintance of Shafer’s.
Shafer played at the Downtown Depot grand opening party Thursday night on West Davie Street in downtown Raleigh.
He is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., Wake County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Phyllis Stevens said. Shafer is being held in the Wake County Jail.
Shafer’s hits include a duet with country music star Kenny Chesney, “When the Sun Goes Down,” for which Chesney was nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award in 2005.
A former disc jockey for rock musician Kid Rock, Shafer also won acclaim for “Follow Me” and a cover version of Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away.”