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Published on July 18, 2024
Boxer Ryan Garcia Charged with Vandalism at Waldorf Astoria Beverly HillsSource: Unsplash/Tingey Injury Law Firm

Boxing sensation Ryan Garcia has found himself on the defensive outside the ring with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charging him for vandalism following an incident last month at the opulent Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Caught in the chaos of an alleged destruction spree, the 25-year-old is facing a misdemeanor count for vandalism causing $400 or more in damage—specifically, a hefty $15,000 in destruction to hotel property, as per the ABC7 report.

On June 8, staff at the famed hotel dialed up the Beverly Hills Police after encounters with an "intoxicated person," later identified as Garcia, reportedly registered at the establishment and linked to the damages of a room and hallway; his overnight stay ending not with a check-out but with an arrest, and even a hospital visit for undisclosed reasons before being taken into custody, detailed by CBS News Los Angeles. Garcia, whose golden gloves have knocked out competition in the ring 20 times, now punches the clock for a dose of legal wrangling set for arraignment on August 7, potentially facing a year of jail time.

"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," stated L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón, signaling an impatience for accountability, according to the official release from his office. Meanwhile, another individual, Celeste Cardio, found herself entangled in the fallout but has since sidestepped charges due to "insufficient evidence," a twist in the tale that could read like a plot from a gritty crime drama if not for the very real-world implications.

The ramifications of Garcia's alleged vandalism come hot on the heels of additional controversies clouding his once-promising boxing career: expulsion from the World Boxing Council for noxious social media statements and testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, leading to a year-long suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission, reports from KTLA and other outlets have him circling these pitfalls of public life. Now, Garcia's gritty resilience, often celebrated in the sports arena, is put to a legal test where the stakes are higher and the rules of engagement are defined not within the ropes of a boxing ring but by the letter of the law.