Ryan Garcia, a boxer from Southern California, was charged Thursday with involvement in vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills.
Garcia, 25, was charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property amounting to more than $400 in damages for damaging a room during his stay at the hotel on June 8. Police said damage was caused to a guest room and a hallway.
No injuries were reported.
Garcia, of Victorville, is scheduled to appear in court on August 7. It is unclear at this time whether he has an attorney. If convicted as charged, he faces up to a year in county jail.
“While we are pleased that no one was injured in this incident, reckless acts of property damage demonstrate a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Gascón said in a statement. “Our authorities will remain committed to holding those responsible accountable.”
The 15-time U.S. Amateur champion was arrested and hospitalized after complaining of health problems.
“I feel like Ryan Spears aka Britney Spears,” Garcia posted on X the morning after her arrest. “This sucks 🙁 I have never hurt anyone. I have just loved everyone and prayed for everyone. And tried to change this cruel world. I love you Christ Jesus. Amen.”
Nearly a month after his arrest for hotel vandalism, the former World Boxing Council interim lightweight champion was kicked out of the WBC after using racist slurs and a derogatory term for Muslims in comments livestreamed on social media.
Garcia posted a response to X.
“I was just trolling. I hope the killing stops,” Garcia wrote. “I love you all and I'm sorry if I caused any offense.”
Garcia has a record of 24-1-1 with 20 knockouts. His last fight was against Devin Haney on April 20. The New York State Athletic Commission ruled that Garcia's win was invalid because he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
He was the World Boxing Council interim lightweight champion from January 2 to May 24, 2021, when he defeated Luke Campbell in the seventh round to win the title. He was stripped of the title after he withdrew from a scheduled title defense against former World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Javier Fortuna in order to “manage his health and well-being.”
Garcia's lone loss was a TKO loss to WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in February 2023.
City News Service contributed to this report.
