'Sons of Guns' series canceled after actor charged with aggravated rape

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The Discovery Channel has announced the "Sons of Guns" series has been canceled after the founder of Red Jacket Firearms William Hayden was charged with aggravated rape of a 12-year-old.

William Hayden and his shop have been the focus of the reality TV show "Sons of Guns" that aired on the Discovery Channel.

"Given the serious and horrific nature of the charges against Will Hayden, we have decided to halt further production of Sons of Guns and cancel the series," said Laurie Goldberg with Discovery Channel.

The U.S. Marshal in East Baton Rouge Parish arrested William Hayden around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Tuesday's arrest was his second arrest this month.

On August 9, 2014, Will Hayden was charged with molestation of a juvenile and crimes against nature. According to TMZ, Hayden says the first arrest was the result of a bitter ex-girlfriend's false allegations. Hayden was released from the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after posting a $150,000 bond.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Prison had a warrant out for Hayden's arrest and the U.S. Marshal's Office picked him up in Livingston Parish as a fugitive from East Baton Rouge Parish.

"During that investigation, we received more information that these rapes allegedly occurred from March 2013 to July 2014 of our victim who was 11 and then later 12 years old at the time," says EBR Sheriff's office Spokeswoman Casey Hicks. Documents from the Sheriff's office states that the victim told police the alleged acts occurred almost daily, but didn't report them because Hayden made threats.

The CEO of Red Jacket Firearms says Hayden agreed to separate himself from the company after his first arrest.

Hayden's bond on the charge of aggravated rape has been set at $250,000.

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