Another 'The Bachelorette' Alum Detained for Assault
Assault charges continue to plague the alumni of "The Bachelorette," with James McCoy Taylor once again in the spotlight.
On March 20, 2026, Taylor was arrested for assault, marking his second such incident since his time on the show. This latest arrest adds to a growing list of legal troubles that have followed him since his reality TV debut.
Prior to Taylor's arrest, Taylor Frankie Paul faced her own controversies, leading to the cancellation of her season. Her history includes a domestic assault case involving her ex-partner, which raised serious concerns about her behavior.
Details surrounding Taylor's recent arrest indicate he was taken into custody for causing bodily injury and unlawful restraint. The warrant originated from Texas and relates to an incident that allegedly occurred two years prior. As of now, specifics about the April 2024 event remain unclear, and Taylor has not publicly addressed the situation.
Efforts by media outlets to obtain further information from law enforcement have yet to yield results. However, Taylor was released shortly after his arrest on a $10,000 surety bond.
In 2023, Taylor faced similar charges involving a 19-year-old college student. Reports indicated he groped and forcibly kissed her, subsequently attempting to prevent her from leaving his residence.
The encounter began at a Northgate bar, where the student followed him home. After sharing a kiss, she expressed discomfort and sought to leave. Upon withdrawing consent, Taylor's demeanor reportedly shifted dramatically, alarming her.
She attempted to contact a friend for help while in the restroom, ultimately booking an Uber. Upon returning, she found Taylor nude in bed. When she tried to exit, he allegedly slammed the door shut and assaulted her before she managed to escape.
In 2025, Taylor pled guilty to charges stemming from this incident, receiving a sentence that included community service, anger management classes, and a ban from contacting the victim or entering certain areas in Texas.
Following his August 4, 2024 arrest, Taylor denied the allegations against him. He claimed that if he had truly restrained the woman unlawfully, there would have been visible injuries. He insisted their interaction was consensual.
Police investigations revealed contusions on the victim's body and text messages indicating distress during the incident. Messages included pleas for help and statements about feeling unsafe.
Meanwhile, Taylor Frankie Paul has also faced scrutiny after a video surfaced showing her in a violent altercation with her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen. The footage depicted her kicking him and throwing objects during a heated argument, raising further questions about her behavior.
In 2023, Paul pled guilty to aggravated assault following police intervention in another incident involving domestic violence. This led to significant legal repercussions for her as well.
The ongoing controversies surrounding these former reality stars prompted ABC to cancel the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette," which was set to premiere on March 22. The network cited the need to address these serious issues before proceeding with production.
As filming for "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" continues amid these developments, insiders suggest that some co-stars are distancing themselves from Paul as she navigates her troubled past.
