<p>HUNTSVILLE ,Ala. — The drummer for Grammy Award-winning rock band Alabama Shakes says he is innocent of child abuse charges filed against him, his lawyer said Friday. </p>
<p>Steven William Johnson, 35, was arrested last week after being indicted on charges of abuse of a child.</p>
<p>“Steve Johnson maintains his innocence on all of these allegations. And that’s what they are, allegations,” his attorney Nick Lough told The Associated Press. </p>
<p>The indictment listed no particulars about the charge beyond the criminal statute definition of child abuse to “willfully torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat” a child under the age of 18 years. </p>
<p>His attorneys have filed a court motion seeking more information about the accusation. Lough said they have reason to believe the charge may involve what he described as a “spanking” incident. </p>
<p>Court records show that in 2019 a criminal complaint was filed against Johnson accusing him of hitting his son with a belt causing bruises on his buttocks and thighs. The case was later dismissed.</p>
<p>The latest indictment was returned in October. However, Lough said the arrest this month came days after Johnson had his parental visitation rights restored in court. </p>
<p>An arraignment date is set for April 7.</p>
<p>Johnson previously pleaded guilty in March 2020 to violating a domestic violence protection order in Limestone County. He received a suspended sentence of a year in jail, with 24 months on probation.</p>
<p>The Athens, Alabama-based band has been on hiatus since 2018, when lead singer Brittany Howard decided to focus on her solo project.</p>
