Actor Shia LaBeouf received probation after admitting to assaulting three individuals outside a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras. LaBeouf was ordered to participate in an alcohol treatment program as part of his sentence, as confirmed by Sarah Chervinsky, his attorney. Following his arrest near the French Quarter, LaBeouf, known for his roles in “Transformers” and “Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull,” was released on bail.
Video footage of the incident on February 17 shows LaBeouf, shirtless, pushing one person to the ground and striking another in the face, potentially causing a dislocated nose, according to a New Orleans police report. LaBeouf used homophobic slurs during the altercation and even while being apprehended.
The actor pleaded guilty to three counts of simple battery. Orleans Parish Judge Juana Marine-Lombard imposed a six-month suspended sentence and two years of probation, along with a mandate to avoid contact with the victims and the bar. Chervinsky stated that LaBeouf aimed to take responsibility for his actions and characterized the incident as a minor scuffle at a Mardi Gras bar with no bias or prejudice involved.
District attorney Jason Williams mentioned that consultation with the victims was conducted to secure their backing for the plea agreement offered to LaBeouf. One of the assaulted individuals, local entertainer Jeffrey Damnit (also known as Jeffrey Klein), recounted being attacked by LaBeouf. Damnit’s lawyer expressed hope that LaBeouf’s conduct would improve after undergoing substance abuse treatment.
In a separate incident, after being charged in February, LaBeouf was directed to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation. In an interview, he disputed having a drinking issue and expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of rehab, attributing his aggressive behavior during Mardi Gras more to anger and ego than alcohol.
LaBeouf has faced legal issues throughout his career, including arrests in New York City in 2017 and Georgia during the filming of “The Peanut Butter Falcon.” In 2020, he faced charges of battery and theft in Los Angeles. Additionally, a lawsuit by singer FKA Twigs alleged physical and emotional abuse by LaBeouf during their relationship, which was settled in July. LaBeouf initially gained recognition as a child actor on the Disney Channel series “Even Stevens.”