Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
The Florida Times-Union web site Jacksonville.com posted this bombshell today:
Former Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle arrested in St. Johns
By SCOTT BUTLER, The Times-Union
Artimus Pyle, a former drummer for legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, was arrested Monday afternoon on a charge of failure of a sex offender to properly register, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced today.
The 59-year-old, whose real name is Thomas Delmer Pyle, lives in Asheville, N.C., according to the Sheriff’s Office. He remains in the St. Johns County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Pyle pleaded guilty in 1993 in Duval County on charges of attempted capital sexual battery by an adult on a victim younger than 12 and principal to lewd and lascivious on a child younger than 16. He was sentenced to eight years of probation and designated as a sex offender. He was arrested in 1992 after two girls — 4- and 8-year-old sisters — told investigators Pyle had sex with them.
He is accused of renewing his driver’s license last month in Florida and listing a St. Johns County address. Because of his requirement to register as a sex offender in Florida, the records automatically forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sex offender database.
During routine maintenance of the Sheriff’s Office Offender Watch program, it was discovered Pyle had not registered in person properly as required by Florida law, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Detective Kevin Kier attempted to verify the address given on his driver’s license and discovered he had not lived there for many years.
Attempts were made to locate sex offender registrations in other states, but the Sheriff’s Office said Pyle had not registered since 2001. Kier determined he had moved to Asheville. North Carolina authorities said Pyle advised them that he resided in Florida.
He was advised to register as a sex offender in his current state of residency, but he has since failed to change his address and register in person as required by Florida law, the Sheriff’s Office said. Pyle was arrested Monday when he came to the Sheriff’s Office to speak with the detective.
We have to say that we’re shocked by this news. We had no idea that Pyle was a sex offender. He’s been active on the local scene – I shot photos of him playing at LEAF earlier this year. Wow.
Another story here, from International Herald Tribune.
Yet another story here, from a Fla. television station, with this quote: “I’m devastated because I have not been trying to deceive anybody,” said Pyle, in an interview with First Coast News reporter Jessica Clark.
Ash-I’m his first cousin. He pleaded guilty because he was offered a plea bargain by the judge. Otherwise, he was facing a life sentence.
The whole situation was nothing but a huge misunderstanding caused by a very bitter divorce. I will assure you, he is NOT guilty of the original charge that was brought about in ’93.
Artimus Needs to Get A Real {JOB} So He Can {PAY} His {Chlid Support} SUPER STAR! Signed Dont Ever I Mean Never Run Me Down To My,SON,DO YOU HEAR ME? ARE YOUR EARS GOT WAX IN THEM. YOUR RIGHT ABOUT 1 THING, I CAN BE A ASS infi YOU TALK Bad About Me, I Hope They Lock your ASS up WITH YOUR DRUM.P.S. { PU} SMELL THAT SMELL, U STINK & NEED BATH & A GOOD HAIR CUT..PRIK
Another example of celebrity justice. He could have got life in prison. Those weasel lawyers got him a plea deal. Psycho pervert!
Plead guilty….and then deny. Standard M.O.
Funny how there was a "tip" about a really large pot farm in Asheville from Florida about the same time. I’m just saying.
Artimus was convicted of a child sex offense, how you can remain "neutral" when an offender admits in court to such things is beyond me.
He admitted to these offenses. It is very common for these offenders to "deny" the facts, even when they plead guilty. Ask yourself this question, would you plead guilty to a child sex offense if you didn’t do it?
i believe that’s http://www.portasheville.blogspot.com
Check out the Riverlink story on http://www.postasheville.blogspot.com
Was he one of the Transformers? Did he turn into a truck, a gun or … something worse?
giggle.
=WL=
wow. thanks for that added info, Ashvilliot. (love your name)
i’m neutral, as well. i’ve seen Pyle out and about in Ashvegas a number of times, and always seemed approachable and involved in the community.
Mr Pyle was interviewed by Howard Stern this summer and alleged the whole sex scandal was a product of an ugly divorce and an unscrupulous attorney. He seemed sincere. I will remain neutral.
He also related the story of being shot as a trespasser after approaching a farm house seeking help after the plane crash.
He has definitely had a rough life.