Latest news with #diversionProgram
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Soap opera star William Levy accepted into diversion program after arrest for drunken altercation in Florida
William Levy, a popular Cuban-American soap opera star, is taking steps to avoid a conviction after he was arrested earlier this year in Florida. Levy (full name: William Gutiérrez Levy) has been accepted in to a misdemeanor diversion program in Broward County, Florida, according to court documents obtained by The latest development in his case comes after the 44-year-old actor was arrested for allegedly 'causing a disturbance' in a restaurant in Weston, Florida. Police determined that he was 'highly intoxicated' at the time, according to the arrest report. Levy's attorney declined request for comment. Court documents indicate that Judge Melinda Brown deemed that Levy had been accepted into the diversion program on June 30. He will be required to complete the program by September 29 of this year. The Broward County State Attorney's website indicates that its misdemeanor diversion program is designed for first-time offenders to 'immediately accept responsibility for their actions, seek rehabilitation, and divert their cases from the criminal court system.' The probation department of the sheriff's office is responsible for supervising individuals in the diversion program. Defendants who are accepted into the program are charged a $150 fee, described as the 'costs of prosecution.' Police were called to Baires Grill in Weston on April 14 following reports that Levy was 'causing a disturbance' inside the restaurant. He ignored multiple verbal warnings to leave the premises from its manager and police, police alleged. Levy was then arrested and transported to jail. He was charged with disorderly intoxication in a public place, causing a disturbance and trespassing. He is faced charges of disorderly intoxication in a public place, causing a disturbance and trespassing after he was arrested in a Florida restaurant after he was allegedly asked to leave repeatedly However, he'll be able to avoid a conviction if he successfully completes his diversion program. Levy was released on a $500 bond the day after his arrest, and he was ordered to stay away from the location he is accused of trespassing on. The film and television actor put on a jovial show for reporters after his release, and he claimed he was only trying to break up an argument between two other men at the restaurant before his arrest. 'All of a sudden, [one of the men] started arguing with another guy to deescalate the situation, and I'm the one who ended up in handcuffs,' he alleged before driving away. Levy is a huge star in Latin America and has appeared in several telenovelas, as well as Hollywood hits including Girls Trip and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He also appeared in Jennifer Lopez 's music video for her single I'm Into You. A month later, he and wife Elizabeth Gutiérrez announced they had split. Levy insisted his relationship with Lopez was 'strictly professional,' and he and Gutiérrez appeared to later reconcile. A month later, he and wife Elizabeth Gutiérrez announced they had split. Levy insisted his relationship with Lopez was 'strictly professional,' and he and Gutiérrez appeared to later reconcile; pictured in 2023 in Miami, Florida However, last year they separated after 20 years together, People reported. The couple share two children together. His son Christopher is a star baseball player and was named Sports Illustrated's Player of the Week in South Florida. His daughter Kailey is an OmegaXL Sport Brand Ambassador. In addition to his actor credits, Levy is listed as a producer and appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2012.
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Actor William Levy to participate in diversion program following last April's arrest
Cuban-American actor William Levy will participate in the state's misdemeanor diversion program following his arrest earlier this year in Weston. Levy, whose real name is William Gutierrez, was taken into custody by the Broward Sheriff's Office on April 15 after deputies responded to a disturbance at Baires Grill, located in the 2200 block of Weston Road. Levy was issued a trespass warning by the restaurant's manager in the presence of deputies and ordered multiple times to leave the premises. When he refused to comply, he was arrested for trespassing after warning and disorderly intoxication, according to the sheriff's office. According to the arrest report, Levy was "highly intoxicated and causing a disturbance inside the restaurant." Speaking to reporters after his release from jail, Levy said "I had a few drinks obviously, but I was not intoxicated." Levy needs to sign up for the diversion program by next Monday. The program offers first-time misdemeanor offenders an opportunity to avoid a criminal record by completing specific requirements. Levy's next court date is July 11 to confirm he will participate in the program. Born in Havana, Cuba, Levy is known for his roles in telenovelas and his more recent appearances in English-language television and film, including Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), Addicted (2014) and Montecristo (2023), according to the
