HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Hendersonville musician is facing multiple child sexual abuse charges after being arrested out of state.
Police said Phillip W. Vaught was arrested April 10 in Mississippi following an investigation into a delayed report of sexual abuse involving a juvenile. Detectives said evidence confirmed abuse occurred.
A Sumner County Grand Jury indicted Vaught on charges including continuous sexual abuse of a child, especially aggravated sexual exploitation, statutory rape by an authority figure and sexual exploitation of a minor.
His bond is set at $1.5 million.
Vaught’s attorney, Jeff Cherry, said his client cooperated with Hendersonville Police during the investigation and that he was surprised Vaught was arrested in Mississippi. Cherry said he had been assured that if his client was indicted, he would be allowed to surrender him.
Cherry said he has advised Vaught, through the Mississippi jail administrator, to waive extradition so he can be returned to Sumner County to face the charges. He said that is what he previously told Hendersonville Police he would do. Cherry added he plans to answer additional questions once his client is formally served with the indictment.
According to an online biography, Vaught grew up in Kentucky and built a career performing as a musician across the country and overseas.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to this case, or similar incidents, to contact the Hendersonville Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (615) 264-5303.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (615) 594-4113, texting 274637 using the keyword “TIPHPD,” or through the P3 Tips mobile app.
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