Tanner Usrey Releases New Statement About DWI/Drug Arrest
Texas music artist Tanner Usrey was arrested on Monday, March 30th in McKinney, Texas, and charged with DWI (2nd offense), as well as two felony drug possession charges. According to online records, Collin County Magistrate Lisa Bronchett presided over an initial hearing on March 30th, and set bond conditions and also ordered an ignition interlock device for Tanner’s vehicle.
Usrey subsequently posted a $12,500 bond and is currently awaiting his next court date.
On Thursday afternoon, Usrey’s management responded to a request by Saving Country Music for comment on the arrest, and sent the following statement from Tanner. The statement was also added to the original article about Usrey’s arrest.
This past Monday morning, after attending a birthday party, I was arrested for possession of drugs and a DWI. I know situations like this can be disappointing, and I take responsibility for putting myself in a position where this could happen.
There has been speculation that I was arrested for possessing fentanyl or fentanyl-laced substances. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, I’ve been advised to keep my comments limited. What I can say is that fentanyl is an extremely dangerous and deadly drug, and its impact on this country is undeniable.
At no time have I knowingly possessed or ingested fentanyl, and I would never condone that behavior. The substances involved are currently being tested, and their exact contents will be determined through that process. I have no reason to believe the results will show the presence of fentanyl, and I would be genuinely surprised if they did. That said, if fentanyl were to be detected, I would view this situation as a blessing in disguise, one that may have ultimately protected me from something much worse.
I’m grateful for the support, prayers, and patience many of you have shown me. I don’t take that for granted. My focus right now is on learning from this, making better decisions, and coming out the other side a better man.
I truly appreciate you all, and I look forward to seeing you at the next show.
The reporting about fentanyl being part of the arrest stems from the booking record that shows the three charges Usrey is facing. The second charge reads “POSS CS PG 1/1-B>=4G<200G.”
The second charge refers to “Penalty Group 1” in Texas law that includes cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, opium, and oxycodone. The “1-B” qualifier added to the charge denotes fentanyl and fentanyl-derived substances. The 1-B group was added to Texas’ Health and Safety Code in 2021 due to the rise of fentanyl deaths.
Some have questioned whether the second charge is specifically denoting that fentanyl is suspected, or if it is just part of the broader drug class that the charge falls under. According to law enforcement officials who spoke to Saving Country Music, if fentanyl was not suspected or tested for, the “1-B” qualifyer would customarily not be included on the charge. In Taste of Country‘s coverage of Usrey’s arrest, they concluded similarly.
However, Tanner Usrey’s management asserted to Saving Country Music, “POSS CS PG 1/1-B” is the full name of the category, meaning the charge is for possession of a drug in class 1 or 1-B,” meaning it could also mean Usrey is being charged for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, opium, and oxycodone, without fentanyl being involved.
There is also the possibility that Usrey could have been in possession of a drug unknowingly laced with fentanyl as he says in his statement. It could also be the results of a false positive from a field test, or it could be an outright clerical error on the part of McKinney Police or Collin County.
It goes without saying that Tanner Usrey should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, irrespective of the drugs he’s being charged for being in possession of.
Saving Country Music reached out to the McKinney Police Department on Wednesday morning (4-1) to attempt to clarify what specifically Usrey had been charged for being in the possession of. However, McKinney Police refused to comment, and instead insisted an open records request must be filled out for further information. That request was filled out and submitted Wednesday morning, but can take up to 10 business days to fulfill.
After receiving Usrey’s statement, Saving Country Music reached out to McKinney Police again to try and clarify the “1-B”/fentanyl charge, but they again refused to comment.
The second drug charge Tanner Usrey faces is for possession of between 4-200 grams of a Group 2 drug, which includes MDMA, psilocybin, amphetamines, and THC concentrates. It is also a 2nd degree felony.
Though much of the attention has focused on the fentanyl charge (or lack thereof), and the other drug charge, a 2nd DWI is also a serious matter for Usrey.
Second DWI in Texas is a Class A misdemeanor with severe penalties, including a required 30 days in jail, up to one year, and up to $4,000 in fines. It also comes with a driver’s license suspension of 6 months to 2 years. Probation is possible, but usually requires at least 72 hours in jail, an ignition interlock device, and alcohol education.
Saving Country Music will offer updates as soon as more information on the arrest of Tanner Usrey and what specifically he’s charged with is made available.
April 2, 2026 @ 6:06 pm
So just to attempt to clarify this even further, the big question is if the “POSS CS PG 1/1-B>=4G<200G” is referring to a class of drugs that can include cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, opium, oxycodone, and fentanyl, OR if the “1-B” qualifyer on the charge is basically denoting it’s fentanyl, or a fentanyl-derived substance, or perhaps something laced with fentanyl.
I’ve now had three separate sources within law enforcement tell me that the “1-B” would only be there if fentanyl was present or suspected, though you never know I guess. I am perfectly willing to leave open the possibility that the chage is referring to the greater drug class, and not fentanyl specifically. I think it’s also important to point out that this was the same conclusion “Taste of Country” came to, and independently.
All that said, do I think that Tanner Usrey is a fentanyl addict? Having seen him play some six weeks ago, shook his hand and talked to him side stage, I would say absolutely NOT. You never know I guess, but my estimation is that at the worst, he had something that maybe had some trace amounts of fentanyl in it, as we’ve all heard is common in the drug supply.
The most frustrating part of this entire situation is that the McKinney Police Department could resolve this question in a matter of minutes by simply letting us know if it’s fentanyl possession he’s being charged with, or not. Instead, it might be late next week before that point is clarified thanks to the Easter holiday.
Frankly, I don’t think the potential fentanyl charge is the worst part of this situation. I think people who have drug issues need to be treated, not arrested and incarcerated, unless they’re a danger to others. DWI IS endangering others, and that is the charge that is most troubling in my opinion, and that is the charge a lot of Tanner Usrey fans are hand waving away while wanting to fight about fentanyl, or why the media is reporting on the matter at all.
Tanner Usrey is a good artist. I truly hope the best for him, and a fair shake for him in the legal process
April 3, 2026 @ 6:38 am
It’s difficult. I don’t believe morally people should be incarcerated for personal drug use in the absence of other crimes. But on the other hand people will not change unless they are forced to with real consequences.
April 3, 2026 @ 6:51 am
Agree that the Fentanyl part should not be the focus here. Usrey’s statement seems to distract from the fact that this is DWI number 2 and he was in possession of harder drugs of some type while driving. A life on the road often in drinking establishments makes this situation all the more tenuous. Hopefully he has an honest support system.
April 2, 2026 @ 6:21 pm
I’d be curious to know if they obtained a warrant for his blood or did he provide a breath sample. DWI’s in Collin County get dismissed all the time so I’d be surprised if in the long run that charges sticks.
April 2, 2026 @ 7:18 pm
Publicity stunt.
Watch the charges get dropped.
April 2, 2026 @ 8:51 pm
You really think he would risk his freedom for a little media attention?
April 2, 2026 @ 10:10 pm
@LC–Thanks for invoking some sense following the serial nonsense.
April 3, 2026 @ 7:50 am
No. He has gotten shit ton of publicity and gives an media savvy anti-fentanyl message.
Watch. Charges will be dropped because of “procedural errors.”
This dude duets with Ella Langley who is number one.
This puts “outlaw” Usrey in the national spotlight.
April 3, 2026 @ 8:23 am
I agree this gives him publicity. I agree this could end up being a net positive for his career. I also agree that there is a decent chance charges will be dropped because of procedural errors, because often police offers are stupid and arrogant, which leads to procedural errors. But are you saying the local police and this guy set it up to get a fake arrest all with the purpose of boosting his career, then the police said they are the ones willing to look foolish to make it go away? That is a pretty stupid opinion.
April 3, 2026 @ 9:26 am
Are you saying there are no dirty cops on the take?
The Morgan Wallen chair incident sure seems staged to me.
Big money is involved.
“Outlaw,” no doubt, can be bought.
April 3, 2026 @ 11:04 am
Yeah, trying to brain police officers with metal chairs is a great way to get on the right side of conservative “Back The Blue” mainstream country music fans. Brilliant conspiracy.
Maybe Morgan Wallen will play The Hook.
April 3, 2026 @ 1:02 pm
How about you quit censoring me?
And yeah, like Wallen had several cops all but asking for autographs while they investigated the the cctv for evidence he threw the chair.that could have killed one of them; a chair that just so happened to fall next to a cop car, but somehow not near any member of the public.All the while Morgan showed zero signs of stress in being investigated knowing he did it and lied. Clearly STAGED.
Police Bodycam footage of Wallen arrest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-Y98Piyb0
Staged
April 3, 2026 @ 1:41 pm
Big Jilm,
This comments section is not a forum for your conspiracy theories, especially about artists that are not even part of this story.
April 3, 2026 @ 1:48 pm
Then why did you censor my last post about Ursey?
The one about his ability to seek damages for leaking false information to the media regarding fentanyl in a police report?
That is what this thread is about.
The more you censor me, the more I know about you and who you represent…or, at least, with whom who you try to curry favor.
You are an open book, Kyle.
April 3, 2026 @ 2:00 pm
Big Jilm,
You’ve made it very, very clear that you think Tanner Usrey’s arrest is all Kabuki theater, and I have given you a forum with an audience to do so. You made your point, now it’s time to move on.
April 3, 2026 @ 3:35 pm
10-4, good buddy.
April 3, 2026 @ 9:17 am
This is not a publicity stunt. Full stop. The angry comments from Tanner’s family and the emails I’ve received from his management verify that. I can tell you for a fact they are not happy at all with having his name associated with fentanyl. You see that come through in his statement. They don’t see this as a publicity boon. They see this as an embarrassment.
April 3, 2026 @ 6:37 am
Repeat offenses for driving under the influence are now something to burnish your image and credibilty? Please…
Virtually everyone knows people who have had addiction issues that have been picked up driving under the influence. If they don’t know someone who has, they ‘ll know someone who is close to someone with a problem.
Societal opinions on DUI started to harden back in the early 80’s. It is no longer cool or funny. Screwing yourself up in your home is one thing. Putting anyone on the road in danger is not. Tiger Woods is one the probably five most famous athletes on Earth and is getting dragged (deservedly) for his repeat offenses, and he’s a billionaire.
April 2, 2026 @ 8:51 pm
Can you clarify if “DWI (2nd offense)” means this is his second time getting a DWI, or if it’s related to the charges? I think it’s related to the charges after reading the article but would like to be sure. Especially given a much more famous public figure who got hit second DUI last week…
Separately, is there any information on the circumstances on the road that led to the arrest? Was he pulled over for erratic driving, pulled over for something unrelated or caught in a DUI checkpoint (unlikely on a Monday)?
April 2, 2026 @ 10:13 pm
2nd DWI means that this is the second time Tanner Usrey is being charged with Driving While Intoxicated. It is not related to the other charges, unless something he is being accused of possessing is the same thing that caused him to be “intoxicated.”
In Texas, the number of DWI’s you have plays a significant role in the punishment. The first one is rather lenient, as long as you were not part of an accident. The second, they really throw the book at you, and try to nip the behavior in the bud with pretty punitive punishment. The third is a felony, and you’re going to prison for sometimes years.
We have no clue the circumstances of when or where Tanner Usrey was arrested beyond McKinney, Texas on May 30th. I have reported on many stories like this. There’s never been this type of lack of information in a case 4-5 days removed from the incident. It’s this vacuum of information—especially concerning the “1-B” charge—that conflict and misunderstanding is being created. It would take someone at the McKinney, TX police department a matter of minutes to clear this issue up. They’ve chosen to take 10 business days bisected by a holiday weekend.
April 3, 2026 @ 6:28 am
I worked in a criminal court here in a “blue state”. First offenses are usually sent through a diversionary program involving drug or alcohol education. You get one bite of the apple. After that, you can get into trouble through license suspension and worse given the severity of the outcome.
Where I live, there has been a rash of people driving the wrong way on interstate highways, often DUI cases.
Repeat offenders are a red flag. Not something to be taken lightly.
April 3, 2026 @ 5:16 pm
You’re right about that.
Last month there was a story in the NYT about a case like that. An older guy worked for many years as a doorman in Upper East Side Manhattan luxury apartment building. Those are not bad jobs and he was able to buy a house in Westchester County, albeit in Peekskill, some distance from the City, that he shared with is wife and his children who were already int their 20s. Every night, after his shift ended, he’d make the 30-plus mile drive to his home. One night last January, he didn’t arrive home. His wife was frantic, calling the building where he worked, but they told her he had left at his usual time. His kids were able to get a reading on his car, using some GPS locator app and they found that it was stopped on the Taconic Parkway, nearby. They drove out to the site and found the car was wrecked. and emergency workers at the scene told them which hospital the accident victims were taken to. By the time they got to the hospital there father was dead.Turned out, he had been hit head on by a wrong-way driver.
And the kicker was that the wrong-way driver was a 48-yearold woman police sergeant from the county. She had attended a police function in Scarsdale, was seen on video drinking there, and had a BAC of .26 percent when tested. You’d think that police, if anyone, would know the major roads in the area and entrances and exit ramps really well. But I guess when you’re three times over the legal limit for drunk, that doesn’t help.The cop was charged with DWI and manslaughter and faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years, though it’s unlikely she’ll get anything like that.
April 3, 2026 @ 9:59 am
Some people might not be aware of this, but a lot of the fentanyl laced prescription drugs look identical to the real thing. Same size, same shape, same color and have the exact same markings. Maybe a pharmacist could tell by looking? But a regular person, even an addict, wouldn’t be able to tell it was fake. A lot of times the people selling them don’t know they’re fake either so unless you personally pick them up from the pharmacy you should assume they’re counterfeit. It’s especially dangerous because people addicted to prescription medication think they know exactly how much they need to do and take their normal amount of pills and never wake up. OD deaths were at 25 thousand a year at the height of the prescription pill epidemic. We are over a 100k annually now. Things have gotten 4X worse. Be careful out there.
April 3, 2026 @ 7:35 am
No excuse if DIU (or DWI), even more so if he is a repeat offender. As for the drugs, more will be known when the analysis is complete.
April 3, 2026 @ 8:35 am
He’s not the first and won’t be the last. He’ll get through it. Look back on history. Get a friend, someone to drive you out there in Texas.
April 3, 2026 @ 11:22 am
Man, even if it isn’t straight fentanyl, that’s some pretty serious hard stuff on the list of possibilities. And any of those items could be laced with fentanyl.
None of that is good news. Best to keep off the drugs, kids.
April 3, 2026 @ 12:54 pm
Eh, wouldn’t be shocking if it was coke. It’s still relatively prevalent in some musician circles from what I have been told.
Still dangerous – but not meth, heroin, or fentanyl dangerous.
Either way, hope he gets clean and through this. Usrey has had some songs I really enjoy so sucks to see him do this to himself.
April 3, 2026 @ 1:40 pm
There are test kits for fentanyl. All the smart coke heads, dope fiends and pill freaks have them.