Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland is facing serious legal trouble after being charged over an alleged physical altercation with a rideshare driver in Los Angeles.
Details of the Hollywood Incident
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were called to the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in the early hours of Monday morning following reports of an alleged assault. Authorities identified the suspect as the 58-year-old Sutherland, famed for his roles in Young Guns and the television series 24.
Police allege that Sutherland entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver, and made criminal threats. The alleged victim did not require medical attention following the reported incident.
Arrest and Previous Legal History
Court documents confirm the Emmy-winning actor was arrested and charged on Monday. His bail was set at $50,000, and he was released from custody later that night at around 11:30pm local time. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 2.
This arrest marks another entry in Sutherland's history of legal issues. In 2007, he was charged with drink driving in Los Angeles, pleaded no contest to a DUI, and served jail time. He was also charged with assault in 2009 after an alleged head-butting incident with fashion designer Jack McCollough at a New York event. That case was later dropped after a joint statement and an apology from Sutherland.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Police have stated that investigations into the altered Hollywood altercation are continuing. The case will next move to the court system, where the charges against the actor will be formally addressed.
The incident has cast a spotlight back on the personal conduct of the star, best known to audiences as the relentless counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer, a role defined by its violent confrontations.
