Boxer Ryan Garcia was charged Thursday with vandalizing the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced.
The charge is a misdemeanor, reduced from the vandalism charge Garcia was arrested on June 8 after allegedly causing more than $400 in damage to a hotel room and hallway. He is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 7 and faces a maximum of one year in prison if convicted.
“While we are grateful that no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior causing property damage demonstrates a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community,” Gascón said in a news release. “Our office will work to ensure that the individual responsible is held accountable.”
Garcia, 25, responded to the accusation with a post on social media: “There's no way I'm going to jail.”
The Victorville native has experienced a steep downturn after defeating undefeated WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney in April by decision in Brooklyn, a stunning upset preceded and followed by controversy and erratic behavior from Garcia.
Eleven days later, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association determined that Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) had tested positive for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug that can stimulate muscle growth, the day before and the day of the fight. Garcia denied the accusation and said on social media that he would take a drug test.
Haney had never been knocked down in a fight, but Garcia put him on his back three times. However, because Garcia was three pounds over the 140-pound limit, the WBC junior welterweight title did not change hands.
The fight was called off June 20 and Garcia was fined $1.2 million and suspended for one year after reaching a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission. Garcia will be reinstated on April 20, provided he passes a urine test, the commission said.
Garcia's attorney, Darin Chavez, told The Times after the arrest in April that Garcia had recently received “devastating” news about his mother's health.
“Ryan has been open about his mental health struggles over the years, and he is dealing with an immense emotional burden right now,” Chavez said in a statement. “The support and understanding of fans and the public is crucial as he navigates these personal challenges. We are working diligently to provide Ryan with the resources he needs.”
Hours before his arrest, Garcia posted messages on X about people protecting “pedos,” a shortened way of saying pedophiles.
“Everyone is disgusting [ … ] “They are trying to cover up their mistakes,” Garcia wrote in her last post about two hours before the alleged act of vandalism. The next day, she posted that she was “on hold” at the hospital and asked her followers for prayers.
Garcia also took to X shortly before his suspension, posting that he was retiring from boxing and wanted to speak to UFC president Dana White about joining that organization.
“I really hope boxing is good without me,” Garcia posted. “I’ve fought everyone and I was willing to do it. They’ve turned their backs on me. I’m innocent. I stand by my stance that I don’t care what anyone says. Point to my head and say I didn’t take PEDs.”
In July, Garcia was banned by the World Boxing Council after he repeatedly used racial slurs against black people and disparaged Muslims in comments streamed live on social media. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the ban against Garcia on July 11.
“In exercise of my authority as WBC President, I hereby expel Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” Sulaiman wrote. “We reject any form of discrimination.”
