Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
This past March, Parkway Drive became embroiled in a scandal following the revelation of a charge against former employee Jed Gordon, as per theprp. At one point, the band’s drummer Ben’s brother, Jed, was referred to as the “sixth member.” He worked with Parkway Drive for several years, mostly managing their merchandise sales. Jed’s guilty plea to having sex with a person 14 years of age or older and under 16 years of age made headlines earlier this spring. According to court records, the victim was 15 at the time of the incidents, thus the now 45-year-old Jed would have been approximately 22.
The accusation allegedly relates to a number of instances that took place between November 1, 2002, and July 11, 2003. Following his guilty plea in March of last year, the band disassociated themselves from Jed and denounced his behaviour, disclosing that he hadn’t performed with them since 2017. Although Jed had later worked with the band as part of their Australian online merchandise sales, the band disclosed that his contract had been terminated as soon as they learned about the illegal activities.
Parkway Drive vocalist Winston McCall would later release a video statement, openly denouncing Jed’s actions and expressing solidarity for the victim of his crimes, after the band received criticism for their previous statement about Jed. Additionally, McCall would assert that the band did not know the full scope of Jed’s actions prior to the court proceedings. According to ABC, Jed avoided jail time during his most recent sentencing. Rather, he was placed on the child protection registry, given a three-year community corrections order, a two-year apprehended domestic violence order, and a 300-hour community service requirement.
According to ABC, the court heard that Gordon repeatedly reached out to the woman via text message and initiated sexual relations with her. During the judicial procedures, it was also revealed that Jed had taken the victim to the hospital for a morning-after pill following an incident involving a broken condom in April 2003.
The sexual and emotional abuse that he subjected me to has hindered my ability to navigate romantic, platonic, family and professional relationships.
Because of this I have experienced re-victimisation in emotionally abusive relationships, domestic violence or sexual harassment, assault and rape multiple times. I have been unable to care and provide for my children in the capacity that they deserve, as well as being unable to care for myself. – statement from the victim
In what was characterised as a legally recorded phone conversation between him and the victim in June 2025, Jed was accused of confessing to the crime. Judge Geoffrey Dunlevy, who oversaw the sentencing, stated that Gordon had shown “significant insight” for regret, which probably contributed to his light sentence.
