A social media influencer has been arrested after allegedly refusing to pay his restaurant tab of nearly $400 at a Nashville steakhouse. Dalton Eatherly, who goes by Chud the Builder online and is known for provocative livestreams, was taken into custody Saturday night at Bob's Steak & Chop House in downtown Nashville.
Incident at Bob's Steak & Chop House
According to the arrest affidavit, restaurant staff and the security manager asked Eatherly not to be disruptive or livestream while being served. The 28-year-old contractor then ordered two full entrees, drinks, and appetizers totaling $371.55. Staff realized he had been live streaming on the crypto trading platform pump.fun and asked him to stop. Eatherly became disruptive, making racial statements and yelling, before saying, “I’m not paying if you are kicking me out.” He then left the restaurant, prompting staff to call the Davidson County Sheriff's Office.
Arrest and Charges
Officers found Eatherly walking on Broadway. The affidavit states he “pulled his arm away” during the arrest but was otherwise taken without incident. He was booked into jail Sunday at around 4 a.m. local time on a $5,000 bond and released about seven hours later. He is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and theft of services.
Social Media Reaction
After the incident, Eatherly shared the full livestream on X, claimed police took his phone as evidence, and made his mugshot his profile picture. He posted, “Just got back to my airbnb after 13hours in custody for leaving a restaurant when i was asked to.” In another post, he said, “I partially ate the two appetizers i ordered. Never got my meal, and couldnt enjoy or finish the food i did get.”
Eatherly has defended his inflammatory behavior as free speech. On a fundraising page in November, he said his contracting business was struggling because he was “under attack” for his racist online presence, stating, “I’ve shared mild jokes, unfiltered thoughts, and yes, sometimes I’ve used the N-word in what I thought was edgy, harmless humor.”
