FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Popular country singer Darius Rucker was sentenced to nearly a year of probation after he pleaded no contest to a charge of drug possession, reports say.
Another charge of possession and a charge of violation of registration were dropped as part of the plea deal, KOAA Channel 5 reports.
The sentencing comes after Rucker was charged in February. The charges were tied to Rucker being pulled over in February 2023 for a traffic violation, WSMV Channel 4 reports. Police reportedly smelled marijuana coming from Rucker’s GMC pickup truck.
Rucker, 58, reportedly told police he had smoked marijuana in the truck but he had not done it on the night he was pulled over.
WSMV reports police searched his truck and found 14 unstamped, grayish, and purple pills and a THC pen. A marijuana cigarette reportedly was found on Rucker.
KOAA reports that the prosecutor cited Rucker’s “good character” in recommending that two of the charges be dropped.
Rucker initially rose to fame in the 1990s as lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish. The band performed at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls in August.
In the past several years he has concentrated on his country music career, releasing multiple hit recordings. He became the first Black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association in 2009.
