Napa County DA Drops Domestic Violence Case Involving Artem Chigvintsev

DA

Artem Chigvintsev won’t face criminal charges in the recent domestic violence case, as confirmed by the Napa County District Attorney.

At a Glance

  • Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for felony domestic violence on August 29.
  • The Napa County DA announced no criminal charges would be filed due to insufficient evidence.
  • The decision came after a thorough review and evaluation of the evidence.
  • Chigvintsev’s wife, Nikki Garcia, filed for divorce on September 11.

No Charges in Domestic Violence Case

Allison Haley, the District Attorney of Napa County, announced that no criminal charges will be filed against Artem Chigvintsev after the recent domestic violence investigation. The probe found insufficient evidence to conclusively prove a crime occurred on August 29. Chigvintsev, who was arrested and released on a $25,000 bond, continues to assert his innocence. However, the case remains open for future reassessment should new evidence arise.

Chigvintsev was arrested under California penal code 273.5(a) following an alleged domestic violence incident involving his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia. Despite the arrest, Deputy District Attorney Allison Haley emphasized that charges can only be filed when the evidence supports them ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’ which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system. She stated, “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.”

Arrest and Initial Investigation

Chigvintsev was arrested on August 29 on felony domestic violence charges. The Napa County Sheriff’s Office stated at the time that their deputies felt comfortable making the arrest based on visible injuries or credible eyewitness accounts. Following the arrest, Chigvintsev was released on a $25,000 bail. The initial investigation included witness statements, footage, photos, and various other forms of evidence. Despite these efforts, the DA found the evidence insufficient for criminal prosecution.

“Mr. Chigvintsev has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He is grateful that the district attorney accurately assessed what took place, and determined he should not be charged. He enjoys tremendous support from the community, and requests privacy for the pending divorce matter. He loves his son, wants the best possible for him, and looks forward to the next chapter in his life professionally and as a father.”

The DA’s Office reviewed all available evidence, including the 911 dispatch tape where Chigvintsev alleged that Nikki had thrown a shoe at him and he had initially requested medical attention. Other reviewed materials included corroborative witness statements and photographic evidence. Despite initial accusations and evidence, Haley affirmed that the ethical obligation is to only file charges if they are strongly supported by the evidence, ensuring fairness and justice.

Custody and Divorce Proceedings

Nikki Garcia filed for divorce on September 11 and requested sole legal and physical custody of their four-year-old son, Matteo. The divorce proceedings add another layer of complexity to the case. Garcia has also made a public request for privacy for herself and her family during this challenging period. The couple had tied the knot in August 2022 but have faced numerous issues since then, culminating in recent events.

“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,” Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said in a statement included in the 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. If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges,” said the Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley.

Despite the legal and personal turmoil, Chigvintsev, who has been a prominent figure on “Dancing with the Stars” for twelve seasons and met Garcia during season 25, seeks privacy as he navigates his pending divorce while remaining focused on his son Matteo and his future endeavors. Fellow “Dancing with the Stars” dancer Gleb Savchenko expressed his support publicly, stating that Chigvintsev is “part of the family” and that they remain close friends.

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