Musician faces 160-count indictment including numerous child sex crimes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) — A Tennessee musician is facing 160 charges related to child sex abuse, including rape, court documents show.

Phil Vaught, a local Middle Tennessee musician, was arrested over the weekend following a lengthy investigation by Hendersonville police.

The Criminal Court of Sumner County unveiled a 160-count indictment Tuesday against Vaught, accusing him of sexual abuse of a child, rape and sexual exploitation.

The charges include:

• 5 counts alleging sexual abuse of a child, including aggravated rape, rape and soliciting sexual exploitation
• 76 counts alleging he unlawfully and knowingly used a minor in the production of material that includes the minor engaging in sexual activity
• 15 counts alleging unlawful sexual penetration of a person at least 13 but under 18, who was at least four years younger than Vaught and while Vaught was in a position of trust
• 3 counts alleging that in February 2017, Vaught knowingly possessed more than 100 pieces of material that included a minor engaging in sexual activity
• 10 counts alleging he knowingly engaged in the penetration of a child
• 51 counts alleging Vaught unlawfully and knowingly possessed material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity

Court records allege the crimes date back to 2015 and occurred as recently as January 2026.

Vaught, the son of a minister, is originally from Kentucky. He moved to Tennessee to pursue his music career.

He is being held on a $1.5 million bond.