Artem Chigvintsev will not be criminally charged following his arrest for felony domestic violence on Aug. 29, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office announced in a press release Tuesday.
According to the district attorney’s office, the decision not to charge the “Dancing with the Stars” pro “was made after a thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office.”
“While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence,” Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said in a statement included in the release. “We are required to prove any and every criminal charge ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system. If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.”
The district attorney’s office said it “does not typically issue press releases when it declines to file charges against any given individual,” but “did so for this case due to the intense media interest it has received since Mr. Chigvintsev’s arrest.”
A representative for Chigvintsev told “Good Morning America” in a statement Tuesday, “Mr. Chigvintsev has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He is grateful that the district attorney accurately assessed what took place, and determined he should not be charged. He enjoys tremendous support from the community, and requests privacy for the pending divorce matter. He loves his son, wants the best possible for him, and looks forward to the next chapter in his life professionally and as a father.”
In this Feb. 8, 2023, file photo, Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella attend Brie and Nikki Bella’s live edition of SiriusXM’s The Bellas Podcast in Phoenix, Arizona.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM, FILE
Chigvintsev was arrested for felony domestic violence on Aug. 29, just before 10 a.m., according to Napa County, California, jail records.
The 42-year-old was booked on California penal code 273.5(a), which makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence, and was released on $25,000 bail. Sheriff’s deputies said he was cooperative in the process.
Officials did not share details on who the alleged victim was at the time of Chigvintsev’s arrest but told ABC News at the time that they were giving the person “adequate time to deal with what unfolded before making the person talk more to detectives” and that the alleged victim had been forthcoming with initial information to deputies.
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Chigvintsev’s wife, WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia, said in a statement to “Good Morning America” shortly after his arrest, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
Garcia filed for divorce on Sept. 11. In a separate statement to “GMA” at the time, Garcia’s rep reiterated her request for privacy “for her and her family.”
Chigvintsev has competed on 12 seasons of “Dancing with the Stars” to date and met Garcia when they competed together on season 25.
The couple married in August 2022 and share one child, 4-year-old son Matteo.
ABC News reached out to Garcia’s representative for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer and former Dancing with the Stars contestant, has been cleared of criminal charges following a domestic violence arrest, according to the District Attorney’s office. The incident occurred last month when Chigvintsev was arrested after a heated argument with his partner turned physical.
The DA’s office conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, including interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence. After careful consideration, they determined that there was not enough evidence to pursue criminal charges against Chigvintsev.
This news comes as a relief to Chigvintsev and his fans, who have been following the case closely. Chigvintsev has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, stating that the incident was a misunderstanding and that he never intended to harm his partner.
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people every year. It is important for individuals to seek help if they are in an abusive relationship and for authorities to take allegations of domestic violence seriously.
In light of this incident, it is crucial for everyone to remember that domestic violence is never acceptable and should never be tolerated. It is important for individuals to seek help if they are in an abusive relationship and for authorities to take allegations of domestic violence seriously.
Chigvintsev has expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from his fans and is looking forward to putting this incident behind him. He has also stated that he is committed to working on himself and his relationship in order to prevent any future incidents.
Overall, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and seeking help when needed. It is important for individuals to speak up and seek help if they are in an abusive relationship, and for authorities to take allegations of domestic violence seriously.
