What happens inside Chud the Builder’s prison cell? Live streamer makes new custody claims (Image via GETTY)
Dalton Etherly, known online as Chud the Builder, remains in custody at the Montgomery County Jail in Clarksville, Tennessee, while facing an attempted murder charge connected to the shooting of Joshua Fox outside the Montgomery County Courthouse.
The broadcaster is now drawing attention for a different reason after claiming that prison officials took his Bible and refused to return it. The allegation came to light through social media posts shared on June 7, 2026, and later reposted on Chud the Builder’s official X account.According to a statement attributed to Dalton Etherly and shared by Channel X field reporter Tyler Hansen, the Bible was taken after he was released from solitary confinement.
Eatherly claimed that prison staff replaced the physical Bible with a tablet that frequently malfunctioned and lost power, making it difficult for him to read the Bible. He also claimed that requests to restore the Bible were rejected. To date, prison officials have not publicly responded to these allegations.
Dalton Eatherly says Montgomery County Jail staff have denied requests to return the Bible
In the statement posted online, Dalton Etherly said he studied the Bible daily during his time in custody and did not understand why the Bible was removed.
“I have asked very kindly and politely, even offering to pay them whatever amount they want for a copy of the physical Bible which for some reason I have had access to for weeks, but I have been refused. My supervisor, Captain Oakes, is sending me responses written in capital letters with evident frustration and vindictiveness that indicate clearly malicious interference in my religious studies,” the statement read.
He also claimed that another inmate living nearby had access to a physical religious text, and said depriving him of the Bible violated his religious freedom.The post was later reshared on Chud the Builder’sThe controversy comes as Eatherly remains jailed for the May 13 shooting death of Joshua Fox, a black disabled veteran. According to CNN, Etherly allegedly shot Fox multiple times outside the Montgomery County Courthouse after an altercation.After the incident, Etherly went live and described his version of events. During court proceedings, his bail was initially set at $1.25 million before being reduced to $1 million. On June 3, the judge refused to reduce it further.During that hearing, YouTuber Alex Rosen offered $100,000 for his bail amount. However, Judge William Goodman III rejected the motion, saying, “I’m not going to let him get into the tying business.” As of publication date, Dalton Etherly remains in custody at the Montgomery County Jail awaiting further legal action.
