Artem Chigvintsev won’t face charges after domestic violence arrest
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 09: Artem Chigvintsev (L) and Nikki Bella attend the PUBG Mobile's #FIGHT4THEAMAZON Event at Avalon Hollywood on December 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
NAPA, Calif. - "Dancing with the Stars" pro Artem Chigvintsev will not face criminal charges following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence last month, the district attorney's office said.
The Napa County District Attorney on Tuesday would not elaborate on why she declined to charge the 42-year-old dancer other than to say there was not enough 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," District Attorney Allison Haley said in a statement. "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."
Domestic violence can be a felony or a misdemeanor, with statutes of limitations of three years and one year, respectively. Prosecutors may reopen a case if new incidents or evidence emerge within this period.
Chigvintsev was arrested on Aug. 29 in Yountville after a dispute with his wife, former WWE star Nikki Bella, who has since filed for divorce. TMZ first reported the arrest.
The couple married in 2022 after being partners on "Dancing with the Stars" and later dating. They have a 4-year-old son.