Michael Pitt Posts Bail After Sexual Abuse Arrest
Michael Pitt has regained freedom after sexual abuse charges tied to disturbing allegations involving his former girlfriend.
Michael Pitt has regained freedom after sexual abuse charges tied to disturbing allegations involving his former girlfriend.
The actor has a history of unsettling behavior, including a 2022 incident in New York City where EMS was called due to his erratic actions in public.
Michael Pitt's latest charges stem from claims that he sexually assaulted his then-partner and later attacked her with blunt objects.Â
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Michael Pitt Denies Sexual Assault And Strangulation ChargesÂ
Pitt was released from custody after posting $100,000 bail following his arrest on multiple serious charges, including sexual abuse and assault with a weapon.
He was reportedly taken into custody on May 2, around 9 p.m., and charged with assault with a weapon, sexually motivated, strangulation, sexually motivated, sexual abuse, and forcible compulsion.
The 44-year-old pleaded not guilty to all counts. According to TMZ, his attorney, Jason Goldman, strongly denied the allegations, calling them unsubstantiated and outdated.
"Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt â an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes â can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unhinged individual," Goldman said.
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He also claimed the accusation surfaced years after the alleged events during what he described as a fully consensual relationship. "This case will be dismissed," Goldman stated confidently.
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The Allegations Against The Actor Are From Previous IncidentsÂ
While Pitt once gained attention for his acting in "Dawson's Creek," "Hannibal," and "Seven Psychopaths," he was also rumored to be difficult on set, leading to his character being killed off after just two seasons on "Empire."
Now, these allegations have put him back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Prosecutors claim Pitt was involved in four violent domestic incidents between April 2020 and August 2021 at his Bushwick home, all involving his then-girlfriend.Â
The indictment states that Pitt allegedly groped the woman, sexually assaulted her, and used blunt objects, including a wooden plank and a cinderblock, to attack her during separate episodes physically.
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Inside The TV Personality's Troubled Past
The star's renewed public attention brought his past behaviour into the spotlight. The Blast reported that Pitt was previously involved in multiple troubling incidents. In 2022, he was hospitalized after police found him behaving erratically in New York City.Â
A resident had called authorities claiming a man was throwing objects from a window, only for it to be discovered that Pitt was actually hurling items from a rooftop, dangerously close to pedestrians below.
When officers arrived, they found Pitt in a state they classified as emotionally disturbed and took him to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
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That incident came just months after another arrest in July of the same year, when Pitt allegedly snatched a phone from a man on the street and punched him several times before fleeing. He was later charged with petty theft, and the victim, luckily, only sustained minor injuries.
Pitt's Public Breakdown Led To Psych Hold
Pitt's manic state was shocking, seeing as he was initially known for keeping a low profile. Though he had mostly stayed out of the spotlight, neighbors at his Brooklyn building had reportedly noticed an increase in law enforcement visits tied to concerns about his mental health.Â
TMZ later released disturbing footage of the aftermath, showing Pitt restrained on a stretcher, clearly agitated and confused.Â
In the video, he thrashed and struggled to break free, only to suddenly pause, scan his surroundings, and appear to realize the seriousness of the situation. He eventually slumped back in exhaustion, as though accepting that there was no way out.
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His behavior prompted authorities to place him on an involuntary psychiatric hold. In such cases, the initial hold lasts up to 72 hours, though it can be extended to as many as 60 days if necessary.Â
Michael Pitt Appeared Agitated During The New York IncidentÂ
Pitt's concerning behavior was not limited to the rooftop. Photos taken during the incident showed the musician visibly agitated as he wandered barefoot through the streets of New York.
In one image, Pitt was seen with his shirt hanging loosely around his neck, wearing only shorts and no shoes. His appearance and erratic behavior painted a picture of someone clearly not well.
At the time, neither Pitt nor his team issued a statement about the incident, leaving the public with more questions than answers. Unfortunately, this was not the first sign of trouble for Pitt. Reports suggested that he had been struggling for years, with signs of instability allegedly dating back as far as 2013.Â
What is next for Michael Pitt?