Shia LaBeouf has pleaded guilty to charges related to an altercation during an extended Mardi Gras bar crawl that erupted into violence.
During the arraignment on Wednesday, Judge Joanna Lombard sentenced LaBeouf to a six-month suspended prison sentence with two years of probation. He must also receive alcohol rehabilitation, sensitivity training, and anger management classes.
The actor was charged with three counts of battery for an altercation between two men who were involved in him being thrown out of a bar, where he was allegedly causing a disturbance and displaying violent aggression. One of the alleged victims later described the confrontation as a hate crime because he was described as homophobic, although the court declined to add additional charges.
LaBeouf’s lawyer, Sarah Chervinsky, said in a statement that the incident was “nothing more than a simple struggle at a Mardi Gras bar.”
She added: “There is no evidence that this is a matter of prejudice or bias, which is why the state has only charged these minor misdemeanors.” “Mr. LaBeouf came to court today wanting to take responsibility for his role in what happened, and he has done so. He now looks forward to focusing on family, work, and new creative projects.”
The headline-grabbing arrest came after LaBeouf claimed to be sober, blaming his past abusive behavior on alcoholism. The accident occurred 15 minutes after midnight in Bar R in the Faubourg Marigny district of the city. It involved LaBeouf punching a man involved in getting him out of a bar with his closed fists. He later returned to the building acting more aggressively as a small crowd gathered and looked on. After several onlookers grabbed him, LaBeouf allegedly resumed punching the same person he had punched earlier and then punched another person in the nose.
It appears that the actor is now residing in New Orleans, where he recently moved after his split from Mia Goth.
