Electronic DJ, Bassnectar accused of sex trafficking

Bassnectar

Two women,Rachel Ramsbottom and Alexis Bowling have accused electronic DJ Bassnectar of sex trafficking,alleging the producer used “his power and influence to groom and ultimately sexually victimize underage girls.”

The allegation first emerged in June 2020 via Instagram account @evidenceagainstbassnectar.In July, Ashton said on social media he was “stepping back” from music “to take responsibility and accountability” amid the allegations. “The rumors you are hearing are untrue,” he added, “but I realize some of my past actions have caused pain, and I am deeply sorry.” Ashton DJ’d since the late 1990s, and first performed as Bassnectar in 2002.

Bassnectar’s attorney, Mitchell Schuster said in a statement;“These outrageous claims — which were clearly designed for the media, rather than for the courts — are completely without merit, and we eagerly look forward to proving so.”

According to Vulture;

Both Ramsbottom and Bowling were underage fans of Bassnectar when Ashton reached out to them on Twitter, per the lawsuit. Ashton first direct-messaged Ramsbottom in September 2012 and knew she was underage, the suit claims, even discussing her high school coursework. In May 2013, he allegedly invited Ramsbottom to his Memphis hotel and had sex with her, paying her $1,000 afterward. Weeks later, per the lawsuit, Ramsbottom stayed in a Nashville hotel room with Ashton for four days, having sex with him multiple times. Ashton “required Rachel to hide when room service arrived and became angry when Rachel answered the phone,” according to the suit. During their relationship, Ramsbottom also sent sexually explicit photos to Ashton at his request, the suit adds.

Ashton first direct-messaged Bowling on Twitter for her 17th birthday, according to the lawsuit. Bowling met Ashton after a Las Vegas show in April 2014, when she was unable to enter the venue because she was under 18. She then met Ashton outside his hotel afterward, where they kissed for around six hours, per the suit — after which Ashton paid her $300. In July, Ashton visited Bowling in Kentucky, where she lived. He allegedly had sex with her at his hotel and paid her $1,600 afterward; the suit claims Ashton continued to meet her for sex in Kentucky through August. Additionally, Bowling also allegedly sent explicit photos to Ashton at his request.

Ashton DJ’d since the late 1990s, and first performed as Bassnectar in 2002. By the EDM boom of the early 2010s, he was a popular festival performer with a dedicated fanbase of “Bassheads.”

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