Artem Chigvintsev, a former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant, was arrested on August 29 in Yountville, California, on charges of domestic violence. The arrest followed a 911 call made before 10 a.m., leading to Chigvintsev being taken into custody by the Napa County Sheriff’s Department.
He was later released on a $25,000 bail after 2 p.m. that same day. The details of the incident were shared by Henry Wofford, a public information officer from the Napa County Sheriff’s Department.
Chigvintsev was charged with felony domestic violence, which usually indicates that there was either a visible injury or a credible eyewitness account. The police officers felt justified in arresting him based on the evidence available.
However, due to privacy laws that protect domestic violence victims, the authorities have not disclosed the identity, gender, age, or relationship of the victim to Chigvintsev. The location of the alleged incident is also being kept confidential to respect the victim’s privacy.
The public information officer, Henry Wofford, emphasized that victims of domestic violence may not feel comfortable sharing all the details immediately due to feelings of embarrassment, fear, or concern for their family’s well-being. He stated that it is crucial to provide victims with adequate time and support to ensure they understand that law enforcement is there to help them.
Chigvintsev, who was charged under California Penal Code 273.5(a), which pertains to causing injury to a spouse or cohabitant, has not made any public statements regarding his arrest. Efforts by E! News to get comments from Chigvintsev or his wife, Nikki Garcia, have not yet been successful. The arrest has also led to the announcement that Chigvintsev will not be returning for season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars.”
Just days before the alleged incident, Chigvintsev had posted a social media tribute to Garcia on their second wedding anniversary, expressing his love and appreciation for her. The couple shares a 4-year-old son named Matteo. Despite the recent legal issues, there has been no public response from either Chigvintsev or Garcia regarding the situation.