Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence after police saw 'traumatic' physical damage to the victim when responding to a 911 call, DailyMail.com has revealled.
The ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional was booked in Yountville, California early on Thursday morning after officers allegedly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence.
'When it comes to felony domestic violence, it's not based on hearsay. The deputies saw something that is apparent,' Napa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Henry Wofford said.
He added: 'I'm not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes it's bruises - it's something visible where the deputies said, 'OK, we're making this arrest.''
The 42-year-old joined Strictly Come Dancing during series eight in 2010, when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Kara Tointon, which the duo went on to win.
Chigvintsev later moved to the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, where in 2017 he was partnered with his future wife - Nikki Bella.
Officials with the Napa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest of longtime Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev, 42, with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking him into custody
The 42-year-old joined Strictly during series eight in 2010, when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Tointon. Pictured on the show in 2012
Chigvintsev later moved to the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars , where in 2017 he was partnered with his future wife - Nikki Bella (above)
Artem Chigvintsev pictured with Kara Tointon after winning the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing
A 911 call was made from the premises at around 8:30 a.m., according to TMZ, after an unidentified caller reported a 'medical emergency' from the property.
Sources told the outlet that 'paramedics and the fire department were en route, someone from the house called 911 again to cancel the request,' and both agencies went back to their stations.
Wofford told Dailymail.com that Chigvintsev was booked at Napa County Department of Corrections at 10:40 a.m., with his bail set at $25,000 (£19,000).
During his arrest, officers claimed the pro dancer 'was cooperative' and 'did not fight with our deputies or anything of that nature.'
Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening.
Allegedly there is only one other person connected to this incident, but they have not been identified.
Wofford said that as of Thursday evening, he was not aware of any protective orders being filed by the victim or on their behalf by authorities.
'We're going to take our time like we do in every domestic violence case,' Wofford said. 'No one gets a preferential treatment, and no one is getting overlooked.'
The 42-year-old also made it to the semi-final of Strictly in 2011 with actress Holly Valance, before he was partnered with TV veteran Fern Britton in the 2012 series.
He was last partnered with Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede in 2013, with the pair securing the runner-up spot.
Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening, authorities told Dailymail.com. Pictured in 2020
Chigvintsev has appeared on the ABC ballroom competition for 13 seasons; pictured last fall
'When it comes to domestic violence victims, it is common for male and female victims to not be fully prepared to tell the entire story shortly after the incident, so we're not going to rush this ... and we have the patience as well.'
Chigvintsev's arrest comes just days after he celebrated his two-year wedding anniversary with his wife - WWE star Nikki Bella.
He posted on Instagram on Tuesday: 'Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life without you. You are my everything.'
The couple have a son, who was born in 2020 just hours before Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella announced the arrival of her second child.
The siblings starred in the E! reality show Total Bellas for five years.
Wofford told Dailymail.com that the department was focused on providing 'a support system for the victim.'
Adding that a probe was ongoing as to whether Chigvintsev had violated any laws with his conduct prior to his arrest Thursday.
'We want the victim to know we want to know their story, and if we must investigate whether this is an isolated incident or if this is an ongoing incident, we're happy to investigate,' Wofford said. 'We're going to do everything we can to protect our community.'
Wofford said that information on Chigvintsev's pending court dates were not immediately available.
Chigvintsev had past been in high-profile relationships with other celebrities, as he was wed to dancer Giselle Peacock, 43, between 2004 and 2005; and dated DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, between 2006 and 2008.
Chigvintsev three days ago celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki Garcia, 40 - who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella. Pictured in NYC in 2023
The two initially crossed paths in 2017, when they were paired up on Dancing With the Stars' 25th season. Pictured in LA in October 2017
Garcia was previously engaged to WWE star/actor John Cena, 47, but the relationship ended in July of 2018.
Chigvintsev has appeared on a total of 111 episodes of Dancing with the Stars from 2009-2023, garnering an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on the series in 2021.
An insider told Page Six Thursday that 'there were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 33.'
He was born in Izhevsk, Russia and relocated to the United States in 2003. Chigvintsev appeared on the series So You Think You Can Dance in 2006 and went on to appear on the U.K. version of Strictly Come Dancing from 2010-2013.
