Dancer Artem Chigvintsev, known for his appearances on “Dancing with the Stars,” expressed his gratitude towards those who supported him during recent challenging times. Napa County prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they would not be pursuing domestic violence charges against him, following his arrest on August 29 on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The arrest coincided with the date listed as his separation from his wife, Nikki Garcia, who later filed for divorce.
After a thorough review of the evidence, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office decided not to file formal charges against Chigvintsev. They emphasized the importance of only pressing charges when supported by evidence, while also highlighting their commitment to working with survivors of domestic violence through their Victim Services Division.
Chigvintsev’s attorney, Ilona Antonyan, asserted that her client was not the primary aggressor in the incident and was protecting himself and their son at the time. Despite Garcia filing for divorce shortly after the arrest, negotiations for shared custody are ongoing, with Chigvintsev expressing his dedication to providing love and support to their son.
In a statement shared on his Instagram Story, Chigvintsev expressed relief and gratitude for the dropped charges, acknowledging the challenging period he had gone through. He remains hopeful for an equal custody arrangement to move forward positively.
For those in need of assistance with domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the U.S. can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
