Man Avoids Jail in Death at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row

Steven Simon pleads guilty to reckless homicide, receives probation in 2021 incident.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs lying on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the legal aftermath of a violent incident.A harsh flash photograph of handcuffs conceptually representing the legal aftermath of a violent incident at a popular Nashville nightspot.Today in Nashville

One of seven men charged in the death of a patron at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row establishment on Lower Broadway in Nashville will not serve any jail time in a plea deal struck with prosecutors. Marine veteran Steven Simon plead guilty to reckless homicide and was sentenced to two years of probation, with the possibility of the charge being expunged from his record if he meets the conditions of the probation.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the hiring and training of security guards, as well as the use of excessive force by private security personnel, especially in high-profile entertainment districts like Lower Broadway.

The details

In August 2021, six security guards tackled 22-year-old Dallas Barrett after an altercation, pinning him to the ground to the point where he could not breathe. Steven Simon, who was not part of the security staff, saw the altercation and helped hold down Dallas Barrett's legs. Barrett later died, with the cause of death found to be asphyxiation. The investigation found that only two of the six security guards were properly licensed at the time, resulting in the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance suspending Whiskey Row's license to hire private security.

  • On August 16, 2021, the incident occurred at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row in Nashville.
  • On April 10, 2026, Steven Simon plead guilty to reckless homicide and was sentenced to two years of probation.

The players

Steven Simon

A Marine veteran who was not part of the security staff but helped hold down Dallas Barrett during the incident at Whiskey Row.

Dallas Barrett

A 22-year-old patron who died after being restrained by security guards at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row establishment.

Tammy Barrett

The mother of Dallas Barrett, who has been advocating for reforms to the laws governing how security guards are hired and trained.

Dierks Bentley

The country music star whose Whiskey Row establishment was the site of the incident that led to Dallas Barrett's death.

Riot Hospitality

The company that operates Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row in Nashville.

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What they’re saying

“I felt like I was trying to assist, as crazy as that sounds because of the outcome. I'm extremely remorseful and sorry for what happened to your son.”

— Steven Simon

“He will be under two years of probation, although my son is gone forever. He will likely get his record expunged, although my son is dead forever. Despite those cries for help, Mr. Simon continued to hold him down; he didn't call for 911. He didn't remove himself from the situation; he continued applying pressure to an already escalating situation, and as a result, my son is dead.”

— Tammy Barrett, Mother of Dallas Barrett

“The court finds that there's no basis to reject the diversion, ma'am. The goal here of courts is to treat and rehabilitate offenders. It's never going to fix the pain that you and your family will suffer, and I apologize for that.”

— Jim Todd, Davidson County Criminal Court Judge

“I felt like [the judge] wanted to do more, but he went down all the checklist. That's what I hate, the checklist. It's like my son's life and his death was based off of a checklist; that sucks.”

— Tammy Barrett, Mother of Dallas Barrett

What’s next

The six security guards involved in the incident are set to go on trial on reckless homicide and aggravated assault charges on October 19th, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating the use of force by private security personnel, especially in high-profile entertainment districts, and the need for more comprehensive training and oversight to prevent tragic incidents like this from occurring.