Hank Williams Jr. surrenders to sheriff's office

Holly Hornbeak told police she was waiting tables at the Peabody Hotel's lobby bar March 18 in Memphis when Williams allegedly asked to kiss her and lifted her off the ground in a chokehold. Yesterday was the first time Mr. Williams was notified by authorities that a formal complaint was filed, according to his publicist.

"Williams was aware of the allegations reported in the media, and subsequently received a demand letter dated on March 21, 2006, from Ms. Hornbeak's attorney for an outlandish amount of money for settlement," Williams said in a statement. "Upon Mr. Williams's unwillingness to meet her demands, Ms. Hornbeak has now filed a complaint with the Memphis Police Department in an apparent effort to seek monetary compensation."

The press released quoted a demand letter by R. Dale Thomas of Rainey, Kizer, Riviere & Bell, saying, "Please be advised that if we cannot settle this matter expeditiously, I am prepared to file a lawsuit against Mr. Williams in the Circuit Court of Shelby County requesting a sum substantially in excess of that currently demanded."

"Mr. Williams maintains his innocence and is confident this matter will be resolved in a just manner," his publicist said.