“Dancing With the Stars” pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev addressed his domestic violence charges — and them being subsequently dropped — for the first time on Wednesday.
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped,” the dad of one said in a statement to E! News. “This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
He went on to say that his “focus has always been and will always be” on his 4-year-old son, Matteo, whom he shares with estranged wife Nikki Garcia, also known as Nikki Bella.
“He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life,” Chigvintsev, 42, continued. “All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward. I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on.”
He continued, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time. Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was.”
“I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be.”
On Aug. 29, confirmed that Chigvintsev was arrested in his Napa, Calif., home after authorities responded to a call about a domestic violence incident.
According to TMZ, an unidentified person at the home called emergency services around 8:30 a.m. local time, but the request was canceled while authorities were en route.
Authorities still showed up at the home for a wellness check and found a victim, who requested “total confidentiality,” with visible injuries.
Chigvintsev was arrested at the scene and charged with corporal injury to a cohabitant or spouse. His bail was set to $25,000 and he was released at 2:18 p.m. local time.
Although it’s still unconfirmed that Garcia, 40, was the victim in this incident, a 911 call detailed that they had a violent argument moments before. It also confirmed that their son was present during the altercation.
She went on to file for divorce from Chigvintsev on Sept. 11 and listed their date of separation as the day of the incident. She also requested full custody of Matteo in her filing.
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On Sept. 24, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office announced that Chigvintsev would not be charged after “careful evaluation of the evidence presented.”
“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,” DA Allison Haley said in a press release.
“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.”
She continued, “If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.”
The couple, who tied the knot in August 2022, met on Season 25 of “DWTS” in 2019.
Just three days before the arrest, they celebrated their second wedding anniversary as they dedicated social media posts to each other.
Chigvintsev, who did not return for Season 33 of “DWTS,” was previously accused of abusing a dance partner in the past. He denied the allegations.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
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