Artem Chigvintsev, a pro dancer on Dancing with the Stars, has spoken out after domestic violence charges against him were dropped. The Napa County District Attorney decided not to file charges on September 26, 2023.
Chigvintsev expressed relief in a statement released on September 27:
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
The dancer’s legal troubles began on August 29, 2023, when he was arrested at 9:40 a.m. on suspicion of domestic violence. Police charged him under California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) PC, which covers injury to a spouse or cohabitant. Chigvintsev was booked at 10:40 a.m. and released at 2:18 p.m. after posting $25,000 bail.
This incident came just two days after Chigvintsev and his wife, former WWE star Nikki Bella, celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary on August 27. The couple married in 2022 and have a 4-year-old son named Matteo.
On September 11, Bella filed for divorce in the Superior Court of Napa, California. She petitioned for dissolution of marriage with minor children.
Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley explained the decision not to pursue charges:
“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. 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.”
In his statement, Chigvintsev focused on gratitude for support, his commitment to fatherhood, and his hope for an equal custody arrangement. He also expressed a desire to move forward from this challenging period.
The dancer’s arrest and subsequent legal developments have put a spotlight on his personal life during a tumultuous time. As Chigvintsev works to put this incident behind him, he’ll likely face ongoing challenges as he and Bella navigate their divorce and co-parenting arrangements.
