Boxer Ryan Garcia allegedly damaged a hotel room and hallway at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced on July 18 that boxer Ryan Garcia was charged with one misdemeanor count of vandalism. Garcia was arrested in Beverly Hills on June 8 for allegedly causing damage to the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

“While we are grateful no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior that damages property shows a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community,” Gascón said in a press release. “Our office will work to ensure the responsible individual is held accountable.”

According to Gascón, Garcia is expected to be arraigned on Aug. 7 and faces a maximum sentence of one year in county jail.

Beverly Hills Police Department Lt. Andrew Myers said Garcia was arrested on June 8 while the department was investigating a call about an “intoxicated person” at the hotel.

“During the investigation, the intoxicated person was identified as Ryan Garcia. Upon obtaining statements from the hotel management, it was determined that Mr. Garcia was a registered guest of the hotel and had caused damage to a guest room and the hallway of the hotel. Hotel management requested the arrest of Mr. Garcia for property damage.”

According to Myers, Garcia was subsequently arrested and transported to a hospital for medical care by the Beverly Hills Fire Department.

According to Gascón, a second person, Celeste Cardio, was also arrested but will not be charged “due to insufficient evidence.”

Myers said the hotel’s “initial estimate” for damages caused by Garcia was approximately $15,000. According to BHPD, Garcia was arrested for felony vandalism, which applies when alleged damages are $400 or more. However, Garcia is now being charged with a misdemeanor by the District Attorney’s Office, although it is still alleged that the damages were over $400.

“Vandalism over $400 is a ‘wobbler,’ i.e., [it] can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. To decide what level to charge at, we weigh several factors with a focus on consistency among cases with similar factors,” a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office said.

The Victorville native’s 24-1 boxing record has been marred by an extended period of controversy and widely-condemned behavior. On July 4, Garcia was expelled by the World Boxing Council after posting a racist rant against Black and Muslim people on social media.

Garcia was also suspended on June 20 by the New York State Athletic Commission for one year after he tested positive for a banned substance, ostarine, before a fight against Devin Haney on April 20. Garcia was fined $10,000, and must forfeit his $1.1. million prize. The fight will be ruled a no-contest.