Shia LaBeouf has found himself behind bars again in New Orleans, marking his second arrest within a two-week span. This latest legal trouble unfolded just hours after an interview release in which LaBeouf candidly discussed his homophobic attitudes, referencing his initial arrest.
The actor, known for his early days on the Disney Channel, was taken into custody at the Orleans Justice Center shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Online records reveal that he’s facing a new charge of simple battery.
While it remains uncertain whether this incident is directly tied to the previous altercation that led to his arrest earlier in the month, the situation coincides with news that a fresh warrant was issued concerning another alleged victim involved in the same fracas.
As of Saturday evening, LaBeouf was still detained.
Mere hours earlier, the actor appeared on Saturday’s episode of the “Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan” web series, during which he reflected on what led to the chaotic encounter that landed him behind bars.
He denied having a drinking problem and instead suggested that his own “anger and ego” and homophobia played a role in his outburst.
During the interview, LaBeouf opened up, saying, “What triggers my anger? I’ll be honest, large gay men intimidate me. When I’m alone and three gay guys are near, touching my leg, it frightens me. I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic, then I am.”
When questioned by Callaghan if such encounters happen frequently, LaBeouf responded, “No, it happened just once… and that’s why I got arrested.”
The “Megalopolis” star was taken into custody on Feb. 17 and charged with two counts of simple battery after allegedly punching two people, one multiple times, outside of a bar in the city’s Faubourg Marigny neighborhood.
Witnesses said LaBeouf was thrown out of the bar for being aggressive, briefly left the area, but then returned a short time later.
Video shows him ripping off his shirt and squaring off with several passersby, who mostly appear to be trying to defuse the situation. At one point, the “Transformers” star can be seen pushing someone to the ground and punching another in the face, then shoving a third.
A bystander told People that LaBeouf was “screaming at everybody” and yelling homophobic slurs — allegations that appeared to be supported by the police report.
The actor was initially arrested and released later that day on his own recognizance. But earlier this week, New Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Simone Levine revoked his release and ordered that bail be set at $100,000.
Levine said that certain details of LaBeouf’s arrest, including the alleged homophobic comments, had not been previously provided to the court. She added that should he bond out from jail, he would need to undergo drug and alcohol treatment and participate in weekly drug testing.
LaBeouf immediately paid for his freedom, but was denied permission to leave the state, according to the Times-Picayune.
In his interview with Callaghan, LaBeouf acknowledged his behavior was “bulls–t” and that he’s “wrong for touching anyone, ever.”
“[But] does that mean I gotta go to rehab again? I’m just not into it,” he said, adding that if he thought his “answers” could be found in treatment, then he’d voluntarily go.
LaBeouf is no stranger to run-ins with the law. In 2014, he was arrested for drunkenly interrupting a Broadway performance of “Cabaret.” He was detained again in 2017 for an assault in Queens, then six months later arrested for suspicion of public drunkenness in Georgia.
Just last year, he and his ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs settled the 2020 lawsuit she brought against him, ending a five-year case over allegations of sexual battery, assault and emotional abuse.
