Kyle Chrisley, the eldest son of reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, was arrested on the evening of December 20, 2025, in Rutherford County, Tennessee, and has since been indicted on nine counts, six of them felonies. The Kyle Chrisley arrest began as a roadside encounter with sheriff’s deputies and has grown into a felony case that could send him to prison if he is convicted.
What Happened the Night of the Arrest
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded on December 20, 2025, after Chrisley’s wife, Ashleigh Nelson, reported that he was behaving “belligerently” and walking down the middle of the road while she followed in her vehicle.1WKRN. Kyle Chrisley Rutherford Indictment When deputies tried to speak with him, he allegedly became immediately aggressive.2WWLP. Todd Chrisley’s Son Kyle Indicted on Charges of Assaulting Officers
Chrisley, then 35, was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center at about 7:00 p.m.3People. Kyle Chrisley Arrested on Multiple Charges Including Domestic Violence, Public Intoxication The initial charges were domestic assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, assaulting a first responder, resisting arrest, and retaliation for past actions, with Nelson named as the alleged victim on the domestic assault count.2WWLP. Todd Chrisley’s Son Kyle Indicted on Charges of Assaulting Officers He was released after posting an $88,500 bond.4WSMV. Son of Chrisley Knows Best Stars Arrested Again in Rutherford County
The Nine-Count Indictment
On June 2, 2026, a Rutherford County grand jury returned a nine-count indictment. The counts are more serious than what appeared on the original booking sheet:
- Three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer. The indictment alleges Chrisley “unlawfully and knowingly” struck an officer with a hand or fist.1WKRN. Kyle Chrisley Rutherford Indictment
- Three counts of retaliation for past action under Tennessee Code ยง 39-16-510, each a Class E felony. Chrisley is accused of threatening “to kill” an officer connected to the arrest.1WKRN. Kyle Chrisley Rutherford Indictment5Hoodline. Kyle Chrisley Indicted in Rutherford County
- One count of resisting arrest.
- One count of disorderly conduct.
- One count of public intoxication.
The misdemeanor domestic assault charge from the night of the arrest was dismissed after the indictment.1WKRN. Kyle Chrisley Rutherford Indictment
What the Felonies Could Cost Him
Six of the nine counts are felonies. Under Tennessee’s “Back The Blue Act,” passed in 2024, assaulting a law enforcement officer was elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, carrying a mandatory minimum of 60 days in jail and a $10,000 fine per count.6Tennessee General Assembly. Senate Bill 2062 The three retaliation counts are also Class E felonies.5Hoodline. Kyle Chrisley Indicted in Rutherford County With six felony counts stacked together, Chrisley faces substantial potential prison time if convicted.
Where the Case Stands
The case is assigned to Judge Barry Tidwell in Rutherford County Circuit Court and falls within the jurisdiction of 16th Judicial District Attorney General Jennings H. Jones.7WGNS Radio. Kyle Chrisley Indicted This Month in Rutherford County8Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. District 16 Chrisley remains free on his $88,500 bond, and his arraignment was continued to July 29, 2026. No plea has been reported.
A Pending Federal Lawsuit Against the Same County
The December 2025 arrest is not Chrisley’s only active case against Rutherford County. In August 2025, he and Nelson sued the county and two sheriff’s deputies for $1.7 million, alleging that a September 2024 arrest for aggravated assault was unjust and that deputies used excessive force by throwing him to the ground and pinning him with a knee. The suit also claims deputies violated Nelson’s First Amendment rights by threatening to arrest her when she tried to record the encounter.9WSB-TV. Kyle Chrisley, Son of Todd Chrisley, Sues Deputies for Excessive Force
His attorney, Wesley Clark, has argued that Chrisley is targeted because of his family name, saying, “We believe this is because of who Kyle Chrisley is… someone recognized him and decided they are going to treat him differently because of who he is.”10NewsChannel 5. Kyle Chrisley of Chrisley Knows Best Suing Tennessee County and Deputies The civil lawsuit has been put on hold pending the outcome of the criminal charges.11AOL. Kyle Chrisley Indicted on 9 Counts
Earlier Arrests in Tennessee
The September 2024 arrest stemmed from what Chrisley and Nelson described as a “disgruntled mechanic” showing up at their Murfreesboro home demanding money. The mechanic alleged Chrisley tried to stab him with a knife. Clark denied any weapon was involved and said witnesses at a preliminary hearing testified they never saw a knife.10NewsChannel 5. Kyle Chrisley of Chrisley Knows Best Suing Tennessee County and Deputies
Earlier, in March 2023, Chrisley was arrested in Smyrna, Tennessee, for aggravated assault after a physical altercation with a supervisor at a truck rental business where he worked. Police said he brandished a fixed blade during the incident. He was released on a $3,000 bond.12Fox 5 Atlanta. Kyle Chrisley Arrest Aggravated Assault