Shia LaBeouf Sentenced to Probation After Mardi Gras Assault

On February 17, 2026, actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested outside a bar in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter during the height of Mardi Gras festivities. Video footage captured the actor, shirtless and visibly intoxicated, shoving one patron to the ground and punching another in the face, a blow that left the victim’s nose possibly dislocated.

Law enforcement reports indicate LaBeouf repeatedly used homophobic slurs during the confrontation. One of the attackers, identified as Jeffrey Damnit (police record lists him as Jeffrey Klein), testified that the actor had also pushed him from behind earlier that night, threatening his life.

LaBeouf pleaded guilty to three counts of simple battery. A judge in Orleans Parish imposed a six‑month suspended sentence, two years of probation, and required LaBeouf to attend an alcohol treatment program. He was also ordered to keep his distance from the victims and the bar where the incident occurred.

Attorney Sarah Chervinsky, representing LaBeouf, described the incident as a “minor Mardi Gras bar tussle,” emphasizing the lack of evidence that it stemmed from bias or prejudice. Meanwhile, District Attorney Jason Williams noted that his office consulted with the victims before approving the plea.

The actor’s legal troubles are not new. In 2017 he faced an arrest in New York over alleged assault during a livestream, and later that year he was arrested in Georgia for public drunkenness. In 2020, he was charged in Los Angeles with misdemeanor battery and petty theft. More recently, singer FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit alleging physical and emotional abuse, a case that was settled in July of that year.

LaBeouf denies having a drinking problem and insists his aggression stemmed from anger and ego rather than alcohol. He also made controversial remarks about “big gay people,” prompting criticism from LGBT advocates.

The outcome of this case highlights the intersection of celebrity behavior, public safety amid large‑scale celebrations, and the criminal justice system’s approach to substance‑related offenses. Officials hope that the mandated treatment program will address underlying issues and prevent future incidents.