Uncle Kracker Arrested

By: Shannon Gossage

Uncle Kracker, real name Matthew Shafer, was arrested after a woman claimed he committed an unlawful sex act on her at a local nightclub. Shafer, 33, reportedly played the Downtown Depot Party at the Ess Lounge, a local club in Raleigh Thursday night. At approximately 2 a.m. an unidentified 26-year old woman told an off-duty police officer at the club that Shafer had forced himself on her while she was inside the establishment. It was later determined that Shafer and the woman did not know one another.

An arrest warrant was issued and Shafer was arrested at approximately 5 a.m. at the local Embassy Suites Hotel. He was charged with a second-degree forcible sex offense. Shafer reportedly made a number of statements alluding to the fact that he would fly back to his home in Michigan to avoid the charges brought against him. The court said that he was "an exceptionally high flight risk" due to his fame and his bail was set at $5 million. He is set to appear before the court on Friday afternoon.

Shafer got his start as a DJ for his pal Kid Rock. He released his debut album Double Wide in 2000 and is best known for his hits "Follow Me" and "In A Little While." He also had a number one country hit with a duet with Kenny Chesney, "When the Sun Goes Down." Shafer married his high school sweetheart, Melanie Haas, in 1998. The couple has two daughters – Skylar and Madison.