Ugly Betty actor Eric Mabius has been arrested for battery and resisting arrest in Florida, with police releasing his unrecognisable mugshot. The 53-year-old actor was taken into custody at the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center just before 6 a.m. on Thursday 20th February.
According to Mabius's charge sheet, the "belligerent" star was arrested after allegedly pushing a female victim and knocking her to the ground. He also reportedly pulled out "fistfuls" of her hair during the incident at a bar called The Goat, located near Fernandina Beach. He now faces two misdemeanour charges: battery and resisting an officer without violence.
The actor, best known for playing magazine editor Daniel Meade, looked almost unrecognisable in his mugshot, wearing a stripe orange and white T-shirts, with a bruised and cut right eye. According to The Sun, a spokesperson stated that the 53-year-old had been arrested after he and a 40-year-old woman began creating a disturbance. The sheriff's office stated the pair were reportedly intoxicated. They stated that witnesses told them the bartender had asked the female to leave multiple times, at which point both Mabius and the woman began spitting on several patrons.
The spokesperson claimed that after the female victim was pushed over, a bystander intervened, pulling Mabius away from them. When deputies arrived, they reported that Mabius became increasingly "belligerent" outside the bar and repeatedly ignored officer's instructions to remain seated during the investigation.
According to the spokesperson, the female victim has declined to press charges but Mabius and the female were arrested for "simple battery and resisting without violence." A spokesperson for the force said: "Nassau County Sheriff's Office arrested 53-year-old Eric Mabius this morning on charges of battery and resisting law enforcement without violence.
"According to deputies, the incident occurred at The Goat on Lofton Square Ct., where Mabius and a 40-year-old woman were reportedly intoxicated and creating a disturbance. Witnesses stated that after the bartender asked the female to leave multiple times, both Mabius and the woman began spitting on several patrons.
"The situation escalated when Mabius allegedly pushed a female victim, knocking her to the ground and pulling out 'fistfuls' of her hair. A bystander intervened, pulling Mabius away from the victim. When deputies arrived, they reported that Mabius became increasingly belligerent outside the establishment and repeatedly failed to comply with instructions to remain seated during the investigation.
"At one point, Mabius allegedly attempted to walk behind a deputy, prompting several deputies to escort him back to a bench and place him under arrest for resisting without violence. Although the victim declines to press charges, both Mabius and the female were arrested for simple battery and resisting without violence.".
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper commented: "This type of behaviour will not be tolerated in our community, regardless of celebrity status. Our deputies quickly dealt with an uncooperative individual, and we're thankful no one was seriously injured during this unfortunate incident.".
According to the Post, a spokesperson for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department said Mabius is still in custody and hasn’t yet had his first court appearance, which will most likely be tomorrow morning. Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox.
