NEW ORLEANS, LA – Actor Shia LaBeouf surrendered to police Friday after authorities issued a new warrant adding a third battery charge to his case stemming from an alleged altercation at a New Orleans bar earlier this month.
The 39-year-old Transformers star was originally arrested on February 17 on two counts of simple battery following an incident at the R Bar in the city’s Marigny neighborhood. The new warrant accuses LaBeouf of head-butting a third person during the same altercation, according to multiple sources cited by WWL Louisiana.
LaBeouf turned himself in ahead of a Saturday afternoon bail hearing, where he posted a $5,000 bond to remain free while the case proceeds. The Guardian independently verified the warrant information through a criminal justice source with direct knowledge of the case.
Police allege LaBeouf shouted homophobic slurs and punched multiple people around 12:45 a.m. on February 17 after being asked to leave the establishment. Following his initial arrest, he was released on his own recognizance and was later spotted on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras celebrations the same day.
The new warrant was issued one day after LaBeouf appeared in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court for a hearing on the original charges. Judge Simone Levine set a $100,000 bond and ordered the actor to undergo drug testing and enroll in substance abuse treatment.
LaBeouf completed a drug and alcohol test at the courthouse Thursday. While Judge Levine did not discuss specific results, she expressed concern that the test indicated LaBeouf “does not take his alcohol addiction seriously,” according to court proceedings.
Court records list LaBeouf as a New Orleans resident. After posting bond Thursday, he ran from reporters outside the courthouse.
Defense attorney Sarah Chervinsky issued a statement Saturday defending her client’s treatment by the justice system. “No regular person would be required to post over $100,000 in bonds and be jailed two separate times for one misdemeanor incident,” Chervinsky said.
The attorney added that while LaBeouf does not deserve preferential treatment, “he also does not deserve to be treated more harshly by the police and courts just because he is a public figure.”
