Shia LaBeouf has been ordered to return to rehab and submit to weekly drug testing after an altercation during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans earlier this month. The 39-year-ancient actor was arrested on two counts of simple battery following a brawl near the French Quarter, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed.
Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Simone Levine on Thursday ordered LaBeouf to seek substance abuse treatment as a condition of his release on a $100,000 bond. LaBeouf underwent a drug test during the court appearance, which his attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, stated came back negative for illegal substances, according to local reports.
The arrest occurred around 12:45 a.m. On February 17th, after police responded to reports of a disturbance in the 1400 block of Royal Street. According to police statements, LaBeouf was initially asked to leave a bar after behaving aggressively. After exiting the establishment, he allegedly punched a man multiple times with closed fists. When he returned to the area, continuing to act aggressively, he allegedly struck the same victim again, as well as assaulting a second individual by punching him in the nose.
Authorities stated that several people attempted to restrain LaBeouf until police arrived. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical attention before being arrested and charged. A police report identified one of the alleged victims as a local entertainer, and further alleged that LaBeouf threatened the man’s life and used homophobic slurs during the incident.
Judge Levine expressed concerns about LaBeouf’s alcohol use, stating he did not appear to be taking his addiction “seriously” and questioned his ability to “handle his alcohol.” She also denied a request from LaBeouf to travel to Rome in March for his father’s baptism, citing concerns for public safety, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. “This court does not believe he understands the level of seriousness when it comes to these allegations,” Levine said, according to the Associated Press.
Chervinsky argued that being intoxicated during Mardi Gras is not a crime, according to local reports. LaBeouf has a history of publicly documented struggles with substance abuse and erratic behavior. He previously stated he had been sober after multiple rehab treatments, but reports indicate he had been “partying” in New Orleans for days leading up to the arrest, with one bartender telling The Hollywood Reporter he was “terrorizing the city!”
LaBeouf briefly posted to X, formerly Twitter, following news of his arrest, writing simply, “Free me.” He has not yet formally entered a plea to the charges. Judge Levine has ordered LaBeouf to refrain from contacting the alleged victims and returning to the bar where the altercation took place. The actor’s next court date has not been announced.
