Ryan Adams has reportedly been cleared of sending sexual messages to an underage fan after facing an FBI investigation. The investigation into the singer was sparked by a New York Times report in February 2019 which accused him of being “manipulative, obsessive and controlling”, with seven women levelling allegations against him. They included Adams’ ex-wife Mandy Moore, Phoebe Bridgers and a fan who alleged that she swapped sexual messages with Adams when she was still underage. Initial reports suggested that the allegations had prompted an investigation from the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Squad, who attempted to contact the fan to obtain some of the 3000 messages she and Adams had allegedly exchanged.
In the latest development, Page Six reports that the FBI has found no evidence to support charging Adams.A source told the publication: “Ultimately, the FBI found no evidence that would support charging Ryan with a crime, and closed its investigation, without charges, in the fall of 2019.”Adams was accused of speaking to the fan when she was just 14 years old. The New York Times claims that the pair first bonded over music, before Adams sent over 3000 texts to the fan over a nine-month period – including explicit images of himself. A rep for Adams then denied the allegations, saying: “Mr Adams unequivocally denies that he ever engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage. “If, in fact, this woman was underage, Mr Adams was unaware.” In a letter penned to The Daily Mail back in July, Adams apologised for how he has “mistreated people” and claimed he is seeking professional help following the allegations after a period of “isolation”. “All I can say is that I’m sorry. It’s that simple,” said Adams. “This period of isolation and reflection made me realise that I needed to make significant changes in my life. Adams’ ex-wife Mandy Moore subsequently described the apology as “curious”, claiming he had not apologised for what she had previously described as the “unhealthy dynamic” of their relationship. Adams released his first album in the wake of the scandal in December last year.