Judge Orders Shia LaBeouf to Rehab After Mardi Gras Assault Charges

The actor was charged with battery and ordered to submit to weekly drug tests.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 3:20am

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A New Orleans judge 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 also admonished by the judge for allegedly yelling homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people near the French Quarter.

Why it matters

This incident highlights LaBeouf's ongoing struggles with substance abuse and raises concerns about public safety and intolerance towards marginalized communities in New Orleans, especially during major events like Mardi Gras.

The details

According to the police report, LaBeouf dislocated one victim's nose and was seen on video striking multiple people. The judge expressed concern over LaBeouf's ability to handle his alcohol and ordered him to 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 known for his roles in films such as "Transformers" and "Honey Boy", who has a history of substance abuse issues and run-ins with the law.

Judge Simone Levine

The New Orleans Criminal Court judge who presided over LaBeouf's case and ordered him to rehabilitation and drug testing.

Jeffrey Damnit

A local entertainer identified in the police report as one of the victims of LaBeouf's alleged assault, who said he believed LaBeouf targeted him because he wore makeup and eyeliner.

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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, New Orleans Criminal Court Judge

“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 submit to weekly drug tests, including one on the spot in the courthouse. LaBeouf agreed and his attorney said the test did not show illegal substances in his system. The judge will decide on March 15 whether to allow LaBeouf to travel to Rome for religious observations, including his father's baptism.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges celebrities like LaBeouf face in managing substance abuse issues and the need for greater support and accountability, especially when their actions impact public safety and marginalized communities. It also highlights the complexities of navigating the legal system and personal struggles in the public eye.