Dalton Eatherly, an online streamer known by the moniker “Chud the Builder,” remains in custody after a Davidson County judge revoked his bond on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The decision followed a series of legal complications for Eatherly, including an arrest in Nashville on theft and disorderly conduct charges and a subsequent, more serious incident involving a shooting outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee. Eatherly now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, as judicial authorities weigh evidence regarding his public conduct and online rhetoric.
The revocation of Eatherly’s bond marks a significant escalation in a legal saga that has drawn national attention to the intersection of online extremist content and real-world violence. While Eatherly had previously been released on bond, prosecutors successfully argued that his ongoing behavior and social media output necessitated his detention. According to court records and testimony from the May 21, 2026, hearing at the Montgomery County Courthouse, investigators pointed to specific videos and posts as evidence of premeditation. One Montgomery County investigator testified, “It sounds premeditative, like he’s going to kill somebody,” during the proceedings.
Dalton Eatherly, who goes by the moniker Chud the Builder, attends a hearing at the Montgomery County Courthouse on May 21, 2026, in Clarksville, Tenn. Photo: Adin Parks/AP Photo
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Eatherly’s legal troubles began earlier in the spring of 2026 when he was arrested in Nashville. Metropolitan Nashville Police Department records indicate he faced charges of theft, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest after allegedly leaving a restaurant without paying a bill totaling nearly $400. This incident served as the catalyst for his initial legal scrutiny, but the situation deteriorated rapidly shortly thereafter.
Dalton Eatherly poses for a police booking photo on May 9, 2026, in Nashville. Photo: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department via Getty Images
Following the Nashville arrest, Eatherly was involved in an altercation outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville. Authorities report that Eatherly allegedly shot a man during this confrontation, sustaining injuries himself in the process. Both individuals survived the encounter. Eatherly currently faces a comprehensive list of charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and the employment of a firearm during a dangerous felony. If convicted on all counts, he faces a potential sentence of up to 60 years in prison.
Despite raising more than $300,000 for his defense, Eatherly’s attempts to secure release have been repeatedly denied by the courts. A judge previously set his bond at $1 million regarding the Montgomery County shooting case before the final revocation on Wednesday.
The Role of Online Rhetoric
Eatherly gained notoriety through livestreaming platforms, where he frequently broadcasted content targeting minorities and using racial slurs. His online presence was characterized by what researchers of digital extremism describe as “rage-baiting,” a strategy designed to monetize hate speech through viewer donations and engagement. In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) dated May 7, 2026, Eatherly made violent threats that investigators later cited as evidence of his intent.
The case has also highlighted the emergence of a subculture of right-wing streamers who monetize extremist rhetoric. Unlike traditional political organizations, these figures often operate outside institutional structures, focusing on nihilistic messaging that appeals to a demographic of young men increasingly alienated from government and media institutions. According to institutional trust surveys conducted by organizations such as Gallup and Harvard, this sense of disillusionment has become a significant factor in the radicalization of online spaces.
Courtroom Spectacles and Public Order
The legal hearings for Eatherly have frequently been marked by disruption. Supporters of the streamer have attended his court appearances in Tennessee, sometimes resulting in confrontations with bailiffs. During a hearing on May 21, 2026, far-right activist Jake Lang was removed from the Montgomery County Courthouse after disrupting proceedings. Lang was subsequently sentenced to 10 days in jail for contempt of court, the maximum penalty allowed under Tennessee law for such an offense.
Jake Lang is escorted out of a hearing at the Montgomery County Courthouse on May 21, 2026, in Clarksville, Tenn. Photo: Adin Parks/AP Photo
This pattern of behavior outside the courtroom reflects the broader trend of online personalities attempting to translate digital clout into physical actions. Federal prosecutors have increasingly targeted individuals associated with such extremist groups, as evidenced by the September 2025 charges against organizers of the “Terrorgram” network, who were accused of soliciting hate crimes and the murder of public officials.
What Happens Next
Eatherly remains in custody as his legal team prepares for trial. The case against him hinges on the substantial evidence collected from his livestreaming history and the events surrounding the May 2026 courthouse shooting. As the legal process continues, judicial authorities will determine whether his online activities constitute credible threats or protected expression under the First Amendment, a central question in many cases involving digital radicalization.
The next scheduled court appearances will focus on pre-trial motions and the discovery process. For those following the case, official updates and court filings are accessible through the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts and the Davidson County Criminal Court records portal. As the prosecution progresses, the case serves as a point of reference for legal experts and researchers studying the impact of social media reward systems on extremist violence.