Judge orders Shia LaBeouf to rehab after Mardi Gras arrest

The actor was charged with battery and accused of using homophobic slurs during the incident.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 2:48am

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A New Orleans judge has ordered actor Shia LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and set a $100,000 bond after the film star was charged with two counts of battery over an alleged assault outside a bar during Mardi Gras. LaBeouf was admonished by the judge for allegedly yelling homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people near the French Quarter, with one victim suffering a dislocated nose.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about substance abuse issues among celebrities and the potential for alcohol-fueled violence, especially towards marginalized communities. The judge expressed worries about LaBeouf's ability to handle his drinking, raising questions about the challenges of enforcing rehabilitation and monitoring high-profile offenders.

The details

According to the police report, LaBeouf dislocated one victim's nose and used homophobic slurs while striking multiple people after being asked to leave a bar in the French Quarter. Videos of the altercations have surfaced showing LaBeouf physically assaulting people. The judge ordered LaBeouf to submit to weekly drug tests and stay away from the victims and the bar where the incident occurred.

  • On February 17, 2026, LaBeouf was arrested and charged with two counts of battery.
  • On February 27, 2026, the judge ordered LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and set a $100,000 bond.

The players

Shia LaBeouf

A 39-year-old American actor who has been charged with two counts of battery over an alleged assault outside a bar during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Judge Simone Levine

The New Orleans judge who ordered LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and set a $100,000 bond.

Jeffrey Damnit

A local entertainer identified in the police report as Jeffrey Klein, who previously told The Associated Press that LaBeouf repeatedly punched him and used homophobic slurs while threatening his life.

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What they’re saying

“This defendant does not take his alcohol addiction seriously. This court does not believe he understands the level of seriousness when it comes to these allegations.”

— Judge Simone Levine, Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge (kob.com)

“This guy wants me to be dead because I wear makeup. It's a screwed-up thing.”

— Jeffrey Damnit, Local entertainer (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge ordered LaBeouf to stay away from the victims and the bar where the incident occurred. LaBeouf's attorney requested permission for him to travel to Rome in March for 'religious observations, including his father's baptism', but the judge denied the request.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing substance abuse and violence, especially when high-profile individuals are involved. The judge's concerns about LaBeouf's ability to handle his drinking and the potential threat to marginalized communities underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and accountability.