BRENTWOOD (TN)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
August 12, 2025
By Jessica Morris
Following multiple allegations of sexual assault against Michael Tait, police in Brentwood, Tennessee, have confirmed they are conducting a preliminary investigation into the former DC Talk and Newsboys singer.
The news was confirmed on Monday by ChurchLeaders.com, after alleged victim Shawn Davis told People Magazine he was working with the Brentwood Police Department, located 11 miles south of Nashville, to press charges.
“We’re trying to head this and do everything we can in our power to take (Tait) down,” Davis told People.
In his interview with People, Davis stated that Tait may have up to 1,000 victims and was urging them to come forward.
“Ultimately, in the end, the goal is to see him go to prison,” Davis told People. “We need every single victim possible to come forward. They deserve to know that they’re not the only ones, and they deserve to tell their story,” he said.
Davis previously told The Roys Report (TRR) that he was drugged and raped by Tait in 2003 at the age of 17. He said he was groomed and abused by Tait for two years. Now he, and other named victims, Randall Crawford and Jason Jones, are working to press charges against the famous singer.
Crawford told TRR he was drugged and sexually assaulted by Tait in 2000, after a decade-long friendship. He said he was not aware that his friend, Jason Jones, was also allegedly sexually assaulted in 1999 by Tait, until Jones shared his story with The Guardian.
“I want justice,” Crawford said to People. “I don’t want this to happen to another kid. I’ve seen what it does. It destroyed my career. I didn’t deserve this, what he did to me. I’ve held this shame for many years, (but) I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
The Newsboys fight back
As the case mounts against Tait, his former band, the Newsboys, are fighting for survival. They have filed a $5.4 million defamation lawsuit against Alberta-based tour promoters Faith Live, following the cancellation of the Newsboys Canadian tour in May.
According to the lawsuit, the Newsboys have “been seriously injured” due to defamation by Faith Live owners Sheena and Nick Hennink. The Henninks argue that the Newsboys breached their agreement after Tait stepped down in January, changing the line-up of the band and causing a slump in ticket sales.
In the lawsuit, the Newsboys specifically reference alleged defamation by Faith Live in Sheena Hennink’s exclusive interview with TRR, their customer service emails, social media content, and comments made by the couple about the band.
“The Newsboys have been lowered in the estimation of right-thinking members of society,” the lawsuit states.
“The Newsboys have been seriously injured in their credibility, character, and reputation, especially in relation to their standing in the Christian rock scene, and they have suffered damages – both reputational and special damages related to loss of opportunities,” it said.
The lawsuit blames Faith Live for the loss of multiple tour dates in Wisconsin, New York, and Indiana, as well as a performance at Glow Festival in Finland scheduled for later this month. It also blames Faith Live for paused or lost placement on Christian radio stations, and the collapse of a developing children’s show.
“The reality is that the Newsboys never knew or had any reason to suspect that Tait was abusing drugs or engaging in any form of sexual assault or grooming behavior,” the lawsuit states. “The continued publication of any Defamatory Content and the Subsequent Posts that could be (and, in fact, were) interpreted as suggesting otherwise – especially after the release of the Exclusive Article (released by The Roys Report on June 4) – has significantly exacerbated the harm and damage suffered by the Newsboys.”
Furthermore, the lawsuit doubles down on the character and integrity of the Newsboys brand. It presents them as victims in an industry in which they were once “one of the most enduring and successful rock acts in the last 30 years.”
Citing that the Newsboys are known for “espousing Christian Values,” they reject taking part in any form of conspiracy and acting in bad faith with industry partners.
“(Newsboys) have long-standing reputations in the music industry that have been built through years of disciplined touring, community involvement, and authentic connection with their audiences — reputations that are especially vulnerable to baseless and sensational accusations,” it said.
The lawsuit was filed on June 17 and reinforces the Newsboys stance that they weren’t aware of Tait’s misconduct, as stated in their June 5 statement on social media.
Two days after the Newsboys sued Faith Live, TRR released a detailed investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 23-year-old by a Newsboys employee in December 2014.
The alleged female victim claimed Tait drugged her during a tour stop in Fargo, North Dakota. Tait then watched while a former Newsboys lightning technician, Matthew Brewer, raped her, the woman said.
Brewer denied the allegation and told TRR he believed the sex was consensual.
The victim and four sources told TRR the incident was reported to the Newsboys former Tour Manager Steve Campbell and gave evidence he covered it up. Campbell denied these allegations.
On hearing these allegations from TRR, Newsboys management called the accusations “egregious,” and concluded, “we will address it at every level.” They then placed Campbell on leave. To date, he is still on leave.
TRR has been told an internal investigation has begun within Newsboys ranks, regarding this incident. However, to date the victim and multiple witnesses have not been contacted, they told TRR.
Shortly after TRR’s report was released, the Newsboys announced they lost their record deal with Capitol Christian Music Group.
Members suggest Tait cover up
While the Newsboys management try to recoup lost profits, reputation, and a livelihood, band members are trying to figure out what’s next. And the wife of one band member took to the comments section of YouTube to emphasize the band members’ innocence.
On Sunday, a user named Jojo3389, who claimed to be the wife of band member Jeff Frankenstein, responded to a YouTube video about Michael Tait by One Life Network.
She posted that Tait was “lazy and irresponsible and selfish at times,” but added, “(Tait) hid what he was doing so well. Tait had girlfriends and was even engaged at one point. Literally 8 months ago he was talking about getting married.”
The comments were deleted but not before TRR took a screenshot of them.
TRR has spoken to people off-record who have confirmed Tait’s alleged engagement approximately eight months ago, in addition to his having previous girlfriends.
The poster claiming to be Frankenstein’s wife also said her husband tried to help Tait “shape up” multiple times.
“There’s evidence that can be shown to demonstrate the guys didn’t know (about Tait), but I am not sure when or if that will come out,” she said.
Urging fans to pray for everyone involved, she also suggested that band members are in a tough financial position following the fallout of Tait’s alleged sexual abuse. Given the band members are paid on salary by Newsboys Inc and Newsboys Touring LLC, this is unsurprising as tour dates, their record contract, and commercial deals dry up.
“The reality for the guys in the band is that Newsboys is not a crazy high-paying job,” she said. “Jeff works multiple other jobs as well, in order for our family to survive financially.”
Frankenstein is a registered home inspector in the Tennessee area, in addition to his work with the Newsboys.
Currently, Newsboys have one tour date slated for the rest of the year. They will perform in Norway on August 24. Meanwhile, they have remained silent on social media following their June 5 announcement. Tait has still not spoken out publicly since his June 10 confession.