'The Bachelorette' alum James McCoy Taylor arrested for driving while intoxicated and carrying handgun
KATY, TEXAS: Country singer and 'The Bachelorette' alum James McCoy Taylor was arrested early Saturday morning, September 10, on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of a weapon. The Texas singer was booked into the Brazos County Detention Center and was later released on a $6000 bond, a $2,000 fine for his DWI and a $4,000 bond for his possession of a firearm. as per jail records.
According to the arrest report, the 35-year-old, reportedly told the officer that he was only trying to move his truck to a different area of the parking garage for better phone service, after an officer wanted him not to drive his vehicle while he was intoxicated. KBTX reported that the police officer had to reach inside Taylor's truck to turn off the ignition and direct him to leave the vehicle. "Officers described Taylor as having glassy eyes with slurred speech and smelling of alcohol while swaying back and forth while standing," reported the outlet.
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The arrest report also noted the presence of an 18-year-old “college freshman companion” in the passenger seat of Taylor's pickup truck. The former reality star explained that he had met her at a bar and was planning to take her back to her dorm room. But according to his arrest report, the college student was "not in any kind of condition to appraise the benefits and risks of the situation she was in.”
After a field sobriety test, the country singer was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. The police also found a handgun in his car. According to Texas state law, it is unlawful to carry a weapon while committing a criminal offense such as driving while intoxicated. So Taylor was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon as well. "During the arrest, police said he became verbally abusive towards the officer, called him “an idiot” among other things, and made threats to have the officer fired and would press charges," reported the outlet. Taylor is yet to address his recent arrest.
The Texas native rose to fame as one of JoJo Fletcher's suitors on 'The Bachelorette' Season 12. He has since been "exiled from Bachelor Nation", as per his Instagram bio. The former reality star earned the wrath of 'The Bachelor' nation fans after he revealed that he attended the January 6th Capitol Riots to show his support for then President Donald Trump.