American Idol alum Randy Madden has been arrested.
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According to PEOPLE, the contestant was arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor.
The 45-year-old has been charged with six felonies, including "unlawful sexual intercourse, anal and genital penetration by a foreign object, oral copulation of a person under 18, sending harmful matter, luring and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime."
TMZ broke the news, and public records show that Madden was booked by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office in Ventura, California, on Oct. 30. He was released yesterday, Nov. 4, on a $100,000 bond.
Madden pleaded "not guilty" to all the charges when he appeared in court via Zoom. A criminal order of protection was filed for the alleged victim. His next court date is Nov. 13.
Who Is Randy Madden?
Madden appeared briefly on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. He auditioned in Phoenix, where he performed Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." All four judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi, gave the long-haired rocker a "no" vote. Their decision meant he would not advance to the next round in Hollywood.
Following his appearance, the Moonpark, California, native didn't make much of an impression in the music world. He would then go on to work as a hairdresser and salon owner.
What Has Madden Been up to Lately?
In 2023, Madden sustained serious injuries from a motorcycle accident that was caused by brake failure. He had had seven surgeries to repair his leg.
The singer began a GoFundMe page to cover his medical expenses. In an update posted in June, he said he was unable to "walk without the use of crutches or a cane." While he has been "able to stay afloat" financially, he says he needs two more surgeries to repair his leg.
He wrote, "My recovery has been challenging, and I can't currently work as a hairdresser due to my condition. Recent surgery involved moving a muscle to cover an infection, and I'm now dealing with potential complications. With rising costs for gas and transportation, I'm trying to minimize expenses while focusing on my recovery."
Madden also added, "I've faced obstacles with unemployment and federal aid, and it may take months to receive assistance. Your support can help prevent me from facing financial hardship and keep me from being homeless."
