NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Criminal Court of Sumner County unveiled on Tuesday a 160-count indictment against Middle Tennessee musician Phil Vaught, accusing him of sexual abuse of a child, rape and sexual exploitation.
The charges against Philip Wayne Vaught include:
- 5 counts alleging sexual abuse of a child, including aggravated rape, rape and soliciting sexual exploitation
- 76 counts alleging he “did unlawfully and knowingly use a minor in the production of material that includes the minor engaging in sexual activity”
- 15 counts alleging unlawful sexual penetration of a person at least the age of 13 but under the age of 18, who was at least four years younger than Vaught and while Vaught was in a “position of trust”
- 3 counts alleging that in February 2017, Vaught knowingly possessed more than 100 pieces of material that included a minor engaging in sexual activity
- 10 counts alleging he knowingly engaged in the penetration of a child
- 51 counts alleging Vaught “did unlawfully and knowingly possess material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity”
The incidents date back to 2015 and allegedly occurred as recently as January 2026.
Vaught was arrested in Mississippi over the weekend and his bond was set at $1.5 million.
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