A dancer who performed with celebrity guests on “Dancing with the Stars” was arrested in northern California on Thursday on a charge of domestic violence, a Napa County sheriff’s spokesman said.
Artem Chigvintsev, who appeared in 12 seasons of the show, was arrested by the Napa County sheriff’s deputies in Yountville after a 911 call around 10 a.m. reporting domestic violence, spokesman Officer Henry Wofford said.
Chigvintsev was released Thursday afternoon, online jail records show.
Being booked does not mean he has been formally charged. The Napa County District Attorney’s Office will file any charges in the case, Wofford said.
A spokesman for the district attorney's office said Thursday the office does not yet have the case, but will review it once it is received.
It was not immediately clear if Chigvintsev had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The Arrest
Chigvintsev, 42, was booked into Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge, penal code 273.5(a), which makes it “illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence.” His bail was posted at $25,000.
Chigvintsev was arrested by Napa County Sheriff’s Office at about 10 a.m. PT Thursday in Yountville, a small town north of Napa. He was still listed as being in custody as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Napa County Jail website.
Napa officials have not yet disclosed any information about the alleged victim or details about the arrest while they gather information.
“We will always protect our victims. We understand why people want to know the name. But we’re treating it just like every other domestic violence case,” said Henry Wofford, public information officer for Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
Chigvintsev's Life and Career
Chigvintsev is married to WWE alum Nikki Garcia, who posted an Instagram Story on Wednesday revealing she was in Napa as well. Garcia is set to co-host Netflix’s live competitive eating event, “Chestnut VS. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” on Monday.
The choreographer has competed on 12 seasons of “Dancing With the Stars,” including the last four in a row. He won Season 29 with Kaitlyn Bristowe and last season, finished in fourth place with former Bachelorette Charity Lawson.
Variety confirmed that he was not set to be part of the upcoming Season 33 cast.
Chigvintsev and Garcia (formerly Bella) met when they were partners on Season 25 of “Dancing With the Stars.” The duo have one son, Matteo, and tied the knot in 2022. Three days before his arrest, both posted on Instagram to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
A Note on Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. It is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another partner. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233.
Looking Ahead
It remains to be seen what charges, if any, will be filed against Chigvintsev. The Napa County District Attorney’s Office will review the case and make a decision in the coming days. This is a developing story and we will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
