Journey Drummer Arrested: Deen Castronovo Charged With Domestic Assault
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was arrested and charged with domestic assault early Sunday morning. According to reports, the 49-year-old musician physically assaulted a member of his household. Although the identity of the victim was not revealed, the Journey drummer was previously arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
In January, 2012, authorities were called to Deen Castronovo’s Salem, Oregon, home on reports of a domestic dispute.
As reported by TMZ, the musician’s girlfriend ran outside the house during a heated argument. As she attempted to contact her father for help, Castronovo reportedly “grabbed the phone out of her hand and refused to let her contact her dad.”
The Journey drummer was subsequently arrested and charged with several criminal counts, including assault, coercion, criminal mischief, harassment, and obstruction of official business.
Although he claimed he and his girlfriend simply had “a misunderstanding that should not have been escalated to such a level in the first place,” Castronovo was found guilty.
As reported by KPTV, the musician was ordered to attend anger management therapy and sentenced to 80 hours of community service.
Three years later, Deen Castronovo was arrested amid another domestic dispute.
Journey’s touring drummer Deen Castronovo arrested for alleged assault http://t.co/fowTP4ISyv pic.twitter.com/c4fuMIBw6z
— SPIN (@SPINmagazine) June 17, 2015
Although the specific details are unclear, authorities confirmed the drummer was charged with criminal assault, coercion, and menacing.
The victim was not named in the report. However, it is assumed that Castronovo’s girlfriend was involved in the dispute.
The musician was released on bond, but it is unclear whether he will perform with Journey during Saturday’s show.
A native of Westminster, California, Deen Castronovo began playing drums at the age of 13. As reported on his personal website, he has performed with Bad English, Ozzy Osbourne, and Wild Dogs. However, he is most well known as the drummer for Journey.
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo arrested, charged with domestic violence http://t.co/eNocte9N0F pic.twitter.com/sb68F8VMap
— WPXI (@WPXI) June 17, 2015
Originally formed in 1973, Journey released 14 studio albums between 1975 and 2011. Although the band has changed members numerous times, they remain one of the most popular power ballad bands in the world.
Deen Castronovo originally joined Journey in 1998, and is the band’s current touring drummer.
It is unclear whether the Journey drummer’s arrest will affect the 2015 tour. The band’s next performance is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Hollywood Bowl.
[Image via Ethan Miller/Getty Images]
