Artem Chigvintsev, a Russian professional dancer famous for his appearances on “Dancing With the Stars,” was arrested on the morning of August 29 in Napa Valley, California. The arrest was made on suspicion of domestic violence. According to online records from the Napa County Sheriff’s Department, Chigvintsev, 42 years old, was taken into custody at around 10 a.m. in Yountville and booked into a Napa County jail shortly after.
Chigvintsev has been charged with allegedly violating California penal code 273.5(a), which pertains to individuals who intentionally cause physical harm resulting in injury to their current or former spouse, cohabitant, fiancé or fiancée, or co-parent.
The report states that Chigvintsev, who participated in 12 seasons of ABC’s popular dance competition show, was released later that day at 2:18 p.m. after posting bail set at $25,000.
The Napa County Sheriff’s Department did not provide any details regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest or disclose information about the alleged victim. The Epoch Times reached out to Chigvintsev’s representative for comment but received no response by publication time.
Chigvintsev resides in Napa Valley with his wife Nikki Garcia, a former WWE star known as Nikki Bella. The couple appeared together on season 25 of ”Dancing with the Stars” and publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2019. They welcomed their son Matteo in July of the following year.
On August 26th—just three days before Chigventsevs’ arrest—the couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary by sharing posts on Instagram commemorating their special day.
Artem Chigventev moved to Los Angeles from Russia in 2004 and gained recognition as a contestant on the first season of ”So You Think You Can Dance.” He has also performed on Broadway and competed on multiple seasons of “Strictly Come Dancing” before leaving the show in order to become an American citizen.