x
Breaking News
More () »

Owner of popular Louisville bar arrested on sex charges

Court documents accuse David Mattingly of drugging a man at his house and then sexually assaulting him while he was unconscious.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The owner of a well-known bar in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood has been arrested by Louisville Metro Police for alleged sexual abuse.

According to court documents, David Mattingly, owner of "Nowhere Bar" and "Somewhere Restaurant" on Bardstown Road, has been charged with sodomy and sexual abuse in the first degree.

The documents accuse Mattingly, 55, of drugging a man at his house and then sexually assaulting him while he was unconscious.

The victim told police Mattingly had made him a drink and after ingesting the drink, he began to feel sick and was going in and out of conscious. Police say a witness confirmed that the victim's behavior changed after ingesting the drink.

According to Mattingly's arrest citation, as the victim was going in and out of consciousness, that's when the sexual abuse began.

When the victim lost full consciousness, he told police he woke up to find Mattingly naked and discomfort in his body. The victim suspected he had been sodomized and went to the hospital for an exam of some lacerations and that's when police were called and a report was filed.

Law enforcement arrested Mattingly after an hours-long search took place at his home Wednesday night, neighbors say.

Gail Henson, the president of the home association Mattingly belongs to, says in 40-years living in the area, she's never been witness to a scene quite like it.

"When things like this happen, we're concerned," she said. "When we saw 11 plain-clothed police officers, drug dogs and evidence teams -- the alarms went off."

Mattingly was in court Thursday morning for his arraignment where a judge set his bond at $50,000. That bond has since been posted, according to court documents. He will now go into the home incarceration program.

His attorney, Frank Mascagni, told WHAS11 that Mattingly was "shocked and surprised at the arrest, but has been completely cooperative with authorities in the matter."

"Mr. Mattingly maintains his innocence in this case and believes these allegations did not occur," Mascagni said. "We will ask for a jury trial and he believes the jury will find him not guilty of these charges."

In a Facebook post, the Louisville Pride Foundation said: 

Following the arrest of one of their owners on felony sexual assault charges, we are immediately terminating our relationship with Nowhere Bar. 

They will no longer be a sponsor or a participant in the Louisville Pride Festival or any other events.

"We felt it was important to take a stand immediately," Mike Slaton, executive director of LPF, said. "Even though there hasn't been a conviction yet, we have core values and a vision that we expect our sponsors to uphold. And, the most fundamental of those is creating a safe and firm environment."

Mattingly will be in court again on Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.

Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Before You Leave, Check This Out