Former 'Bachelorette' contestant James McCoy Taylor was arrested in Texas on March 20th on warrants related to an April 2024 incident, facing charges of assault causing bodily injury and unlawful restraint. This marks his second arrest for similar allegations, following a guilty plea in a prior assault case.
Taylor, 39, was booked and released on a $10,000 surety bond. The recent arrest stems from an alleged incident where a 19-year-old Blinn College student claimed Taylor forcibly kissed and groped her as she attempted to leave. She further stated that he "tackled and got on top of her" and used his body weight to hold her down. Taylor has reportedly claimed the incident was "enjoyable and consensual."
Authorities have also issued a ban preventing Taylor from entering the Northgate Entertainment District in Texas. His probation was reportedly terminated last month due to issues with unpaid fines, which led to the arrest warrant. He was also previously ordered to have no contact with the victim in the earlier case.
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Taylor first gained recognition in 2016 on JoJo Fletcher's season of 'The Bachelorette.' His recent legal troubles coincide with broader turmoil within 'The Bachelorette' franchise, including the cancellation of a new season due to a surfacing video involving another former participant, Taylor Frankie Paul, and her own alleged assault arrest.
Taylor is reportedly living in Colorado with his fiancée, Kenzie Linden, with whom he has a daughter. He has been a controversial figure, having previously faced backlash for his social media posts encouraging attendance at the January 6th riot. Taylor has denied previous allegations, asserting the claims were inconsistent with the absence of visible injuries.
