Ryan Garcia charged with misdemeanor vandalism following arrest in June
Ryan Garcia has been charged with one count of misdemeanor vandalism after he was arrested at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Beverly Hills on June 8.
The charges were filed against the boxer on Thursday along with a statement from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón addressing Garcia’s behavior.
“While we are grateful no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior that damages property shows a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community,” Gascón said. “Our office will work to ensure the responsible individual is held accountable.”
The charge against Garcia is a misdemeanor for “vandalism $400 or more in damage or destruction of property” and “it is further alleged that the amount of defacement, damage and destruction was $400 or more.”
If convicted, Garcia could potentially face up to one year in jail along with fines.
His next appearance in court is scheduled for an arraignment on Aug. 7 at the airport courthouse in Los Angeles.
Following his initial arrest, the Beverly Hills Police Department released a statement regarding the call received from the hotel that led to Garcia being detained.
“On June 8, 2024, at approximately 5:15 P.M., the Beverly Hills Police Department responded to 9850 Wilshire Blvd. (Waldorf Astoria) for an ‘intoxicated person’ call for service,” Beverly Hills police said in June. “During the investigation, the intoxicated person was identified as Ryan Garcia. Upon obtaining statements from the hotel management, it was determined that Mr. Garcia was a registered guest of the hotel and had caused damage to a guest room and the hallway of the hotel. Hotel management requested the arrest of Mr. Garcia for property damage.
“Ryan Garcia, a 25-year-old from Porter Ranch, California, was arrested for PC 594(b)(1) - Felony vandalism and transported by the Beverly Hills Fire Department to a local hospital for medical care.”
Ultimately, Garcia was charged with misdemeanor vandalism rather than a felony after he allegedly caused an estimated $15,000 in damage to the hotel
Just after the charge against him was announced, Garcia took to Twitter to declare “no way I’m going to jail.”
No way I’m going to jail
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) July 18, 2024
Garcia has endured a rocky few months after arguably the biggest win of his career — a unanimous decision victory over Devin Haney — was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine, which led to a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission.
Garcia was also expelled by the WBC after using racial slurs in a social media rant gone wrong.