Chigvintsev’s Arrest Ruined His Life

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Artem Chigvintsev is speaking out on life’s consequences. 

Following his participation on “Dancing With the Stars,” the individual (previously divorced from Nikki Garcia) who faced a domestic violence accusation in August (and was eventually not indicted), discussed the impact of this scandal on his life.

On the Glamourous Grind podcast, Artem expressed that the incident had left him devastated. From every perspective, it had turned his life upside down completely. The most frustrating aspect of this situation was learning that the district attorney decided to drop the case, indicating there was nothing they could prosecute him for.

Chigvintsev, the father of 4-year-old Matteo with Garcia, underscored that although all legal issues have been dismissed, he continues to feel the lasting effects of his prior arrest.

Ever since I catch a glimpse of that mugshot, it feels like an uphill battle to be seen as innocent. No matter what I say or attempts at explanation, it seems impossible to shake the instant presumption of guilt in others’ minds.

Despite claiming a loss of $100,000 in earnings due to his domestic violence arrest and subsequent court documents, the professional dancer chose not to delay resolving his disputes with Garcia for the sake of finalizing their divorce.

He went on saying, ‘I yearned for this situation to conclude. I felt compelled to return to my daily routine and make a fresh start – emotionally and financially. Ultimately, I desired for my life to revert back to normal once more.’

Certainly, Chigvintsev openly acknowledged that he hasn’t completely moved past the incidents from autumn last year and his connection with Garcia, after they got married in 2022 following four years of dating.

He mentioned, “Our relationship has lasted for seven years.” But ending it wasn’t a choice I made one day and followed up with a divorce. The decision wasn’t mine to make. Right up until the very end, I was hoping, ‘Perhaps we could try counseling, perhaps we could find a solution.’

Chigvintsev thought it might be best for their young son if they remained a couple, but in the end, he expressed feelings of “relief” upon parting their ways.

Regarding Garcia, it’s clear that her decisions center around her son, much like a orbiting planet.

Previously, Garcia shared with TopMob News a heartfelt sentiment about Matteo, saying, “His love is the most profound I’ve ever known, and he continually overflows my emotional reserves.

After the stormy phase in their relationship has passed, let’s move forward and delve into all you need to know about Chigvintsev’s arrest in August 2024…

Artem Chigvintsev was apprehended by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office around 10 a.m. on August 29, as confirmed by their Public Information Officer Henry Wofford to TopMob News. Wofford mentioned that Chigvintsev did not resist arrest and was subsequently transferred to the Napa County Department of Corrections. Online records indicate that he was detained for a charge of felony domestic violence with a bond set at $25,000.

On August 29th at 2:18 pm, the court granted bail for the dancer in question and released him from custody, as confirmed by Wofford to TopMob News. No court date has been set as of now.

In response to questions from NBC News, Wofford confirmed that Chigvintsev had been arrested in Yountville, California, but he did not disclose the exact location out of respect for the privacy request made by the alleged victim. The Sheriff has also chosen not to reveal the name, gender, age, or relationship between Chigvintsev and the alleged victim. Wofford did share some details about the arrest, stating that it was based on charges of felony domestic violence due to visible injuries or credible eyewitness accounts. However, he added that this could change as more evidence becomes available. Wofford also explained why victims often choose to keep personal information private in such cases, citing reasons like feeling embarrassed, threatened, or fearing the incident’s impact on their family. He emphasized the importance of giving victims time and support to help them come to terms with the situation.

In an audio clip made public by TMZ on August 30th, it appears that Chigvintsev initially called 911 seeking medical aid following a dispute where shoes were reportedly hurled at him. However, the call later indicated that he no longer needed medical attention. Regardless of this change, Wofford explained to Page Six that the authorities still conducted a welfare check because in cases of domestic violence, even if someone subsequently states they don’t require assistance, a welfare check is still carried out. They won’t just halt their investigation.

As of August 30th, Chigvintsev hasn’t made any public statements regarding the arrest or the 911 call. Our team at TopMob News has attempted to contact his representative for a comment, but we haven’t received a response yet.

Approximately three weeks before the launch of Dancing With the Stars season 33, Chigvintsev was apprehended. Interestingly, despite his past win at the Mirrorball and his involvement in 12 seasons of the show, he was not scheduled to participate in this year’s cast according to Page Six and Variety. As of now, ABC has not responded to TopMob News’ request for comment.

A representative for Nikki Garcia, who first met Artem Chigvintsev during their time together on Dancing With the Stars season 25 in 2017, made a statement regarding his arrest following his release on August 30. The rep asked for privacy for Nikki and her family, stating that this matter is personal at this time.

Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest occurred three days after he and Garcia (with whom he shares 4-year-old son Matteo) celebrated their second wedding anniversary on August 26. On Instagram, the ballroom dancer expressed his love for Nikki, saying, “Happy anniversary my love… I can’t see my life without you. You are my everything.”

In a heartfelt post of her own, the former WWE star shared lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and posted a throwback video of their wedding in Paris, which took place in 2022. She wrote, “This song is our love story… I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be.” She concluded by wishing her husband Artem a happy anniversary, expressing her love for him.

Following the arrest of Chigvintsev, Cheryl Burke, who retired from ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in 2022 after 26 years, expressed her sentiments regarding the news. Being someone she had grown up with and lived with at one point, Burke shared on her podcast ‘Sex, Lies and Spray Tans’ that she was taken aback by his arrest. On the episode released on August 30, she stated, “I am in complete shock,” expressing empathy for everyone involved. She added, “My heart goes out to all of them. It’s just really hard for me because he was my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s okay.” In a TikTok clip from her podcast, she also provided resources for those in need.

On September 24, 2024, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced that her team would decline to press charges against Chigvintsev, having conducted a comprehensive examination of the criminal investigation and given due consideration to the evidence submitted to their office.

If you’re dealing with domestic violence or know someone who is, remember there’s hope. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-7233, texting START to 88788, or visiting their website at https://www.thehotline.org/.

In a September 25, 2024 interview with TopMob News, Chigvintsev expressed deep relief and gratitude as the domestic violence charge against him was dismissed.

He confided, “These past times have been incredibly challenging for me,” but “I’m grateful that honesty eventually triumphed.

In my commitment to fairness, I express optimism that Garcia and I can reach a mutual agreement for equal co-parenting rights regarding our son Matteo, as expressed in her September 11th divorce filing where she initially sought sole legal and physical custody.

Chigvintsev expressed his eagerness to advance beyond this phase, concentrating instead on excelling as the finest father possible.

In response to reports from TMZ, it appears that Garcia sought and received a protective order against her former partner. This action followed her filing a petition stating that Chigvintsev had tackled her on several occasions and held her down, with their child being present during these incidents.

Following the event that resulted in Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has chosen to submit an application for a Temporary Domestic Violence Protection Order. This is to ensure the safety of herself and her child. Despite Nikki asking the Napa District Attorney not to press charges against Artem to avoid his imprisonment, it’s crucial that he is held responsible for his actions. To safeguard Nikki and her son, necessary protective measures are being taken.

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2025-02-19 23:19