Ronnie Radke’s legal trouble spans two decades, from a 2006 Las Vegas shooting that landed him in prison to a civil harassment restraining order granted in March 2026 to Brittany Furlan, the wife of Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee. In between, the Falling In Reverse frontman has been through a domestic violence arrest, a sexual assault allegation he denied and sued over, and a defamation case against music critic Anthony Fantano that he lost.
The 2006 Las Vegas Shooting Case
In May 2006, Radke was in a fight in a desert lot near Shadow Ridge High School in Las Vegas. The brawl grew out of a dispute between Radke and brothers Michael and Marcel Colquitt over their alleged harassment of Radke’s friend Maxwell Greene.1Las Vegas Weekly. Dealing His Own Fate Radke’s associate Chase Rader fired a gun during the fight, killing 18-year-old Michael Cook and injuring Michael Colquitt. Rader was initially charged with murder, but those charges were later dropped.2Las Vegas Weekly. Tragedy, Murder, Suicide, Music and Drugs
Radke was never accused of firing the weapon. In January 2008, he pleaded guilty to one count of battery with substantial bodily harm. He received five years of probation, mandatory drug rehabilitation, nearly $100,000 in restitution, and a suspended prison sentence of 18 to 48 months.3Las Vegas Sun. Rocker Ronnie Radke Out of Prison and Ready to Make His Mark1Las Vegas Weekly. Dealing His Own Fate
He didn’t keep up with probation. Between the $93,000 restitution balance, monthly fees for probation, drug counseling and impulse-control classes, and a ban on touring with his band, Radke later said he “bailed out.” Police tapped his phone and apprehended him, and in August 2008 he was sent to High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, Nevada. While imprisoned, he was fired from his original band, Escape the Fate. He served roughly two and a half years and was released in December 2010.1Las Vegas Weekly. Dealing His Own Fate3Las Vegas Sun. Rocker Ronnie Radke Out of Prison and Ready to Make His Mark
2012 Domestic Violence Arrest
In May 2012, Radke’s then-girlfriend Sally Watts reported to Glendale, California, police that he had physically assaulted her at their home. Prosecutors charged him with one misdemeanor count of corporal injury to a girlfriend and one misdemeanor count of false imprisonment. Radke was arrested on an outstanding warrant in August 2012 and released on $30,000 bail.4Los Angeles Times. Rock Singer Ronald Radke Arrested in Glendale on Domestic Assault Warrant
The domestic violence charge was dismissed. On May 14, 2014, Radke pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, closing the case.5Loudwire. Ronnie Radke Domestic Violence Charge Dropped
2015 Sexual Assault Allegation
In June 2015, a 25-year-old Salt Lake City woman accused Radke and a band bodyguard of sexual assault following a concert in Murray, Utah. According to Radke’s subsequent legal filings, police found no evidence of rape, he was never arrested, and no criminal charges were filed. Radke denied the allegation and sued the accuser for defamation.6Loudwire. Falling in Reverse’s Ronnie Radke Sues Sexual Assault Accuser
The Anthony Fantano Defamation Loss
In 2024, Radke sued music critic Anthony Fantano for defamation over a YouTube video titled “This Guy Sucks,” which discussed Radke’s criminal history, abuse allegations, and public statements. In May 2025, a Connecticut judge dismissed the suit under the state’s anti-SLAPP statute, finding that Fantano’s commentary addressed matters of public concern.7NME. Anthony Fantano Speaks Out After Winning Defamation Suit Against Ronnie Radke The court ordered Radke to pay Fantano’s legal fees of $40,700.8Blunt Mag. Ronnie Radke Pushes Back Against Order to Pay Anthony Fantano’s Legal Fees
On August 29, 2025, Radke objected to the fee amount, calling it “excessive” and “grossly disproportionate.”8Blunt Mag. Ronnie Radke Pushes Back Against Order to Pay Anthony Fantano’s Legal Fees In a video posted after the ruling, he acknowledged the loss, saying his lawyers had told him he was “not gonna win this” and that he filed the case to publicly address Fantano’s allegations rather than because he expected to win.9Consequence of Sound. Falling in Reverse’s Ronnie Radke Loses Defamation Lawsuit Against Anthony Fantano
Brittany Furlan Catfishing Dispute and Restraining Order
In May 2025, Brittany Furlan said publicly that she had been communicating on Snapchat with someone she believed was Ronnie Radke. Radke denied ever speaking to her and said she had been catfished by an impersonator.10E! Online. Ronnie Radke Addresses Tommy Lee’s Wife Brittany Furlan Being Catfished He said he contacted the FBI about fake accounts, though no reporting has independently confirmed any federal investigation.11Loudwire. Ronnie Radke FBI Tommy Lee Brittany Furlan Catfish
In early January 2026, Radke filed in Los Angeles for a temporary restraining order against Furlan, alleging she had appeared at his doctor’s appointment, harassed him online, and messaged underage fans to “coerce them into lying” about him. His filing included screenshots of direct messages from Tommy Lee reading, “Watch your back!.. Don’t f— with me dude!” The court denied the request. Furlan’s attorney called the filing “frivolous” and said Furlan was “the only victim of harassment.”12People. Ronnie Radke Temporary Restraining Order Against Brittany Furlan Denied After Catfishing
Furlan filed her own request later that January. It was initially denied as an emergency but set for a hearing. On March 17, 2026, a judge granted Furlan a two-year civil harassment restraining order against Radke, effective until March 20, 2028. The order requires Radke to stay at least 100 yards from Furlan, her home, and her workplace. He cannot contact her directly or indirectly, mention her online, or encourage others to contact or harass her. Violations can carry up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.13NME. Brittany Furlan Granted Restraining Order Against Ronnie Radke After Catfish Scandal
Fallout on Tour
Radke’s legal history and public conduct have cost Falling In Reverse touring partners. In March 2023, the band Spiritbox withdrew from six dates on the “Popular Monstour” after fan backlash, confirming the pullout on March 13, 2023, with a brief statement.14Revolver. Spiritbox Drop Off Falling in Reverse Tour The backlash centered on Radke’s history of abuse allegations and his online confrontations with accusers, along with separate allegations against a member of another support act.15NME. Spiritbox Pull Out of Falling in Reverse Tour Amidst Controversy Other acts, including Black Veil Brides, faced fan pressure for sharing a bill with the band.16Loudwire. Ronnie Radke on Woke Political Impact on Touring
Where Things Stand
Radke is subject to Furlan’s restraining order until March 20, 2028, and still faces the $40,700 fee award from the Fantano case, which he has contested as excessive.8Blunt Mag. Ronnie Radke Pushes Back Against Order to Pay Anthony Fantano’s Legal Fees The 2006 Nevada case, the 2012 California domestic violence matter, and the 2015 Utah allegation are all closed, with no criminal convictions beyond the 2008 battery plea and the 2014 disturbing-the-peace plea.