Emile Hirsch Charged With Felony Assault After Alleged Sundance Film Festival Attack; Actor Puts Himself Into Rehab

Emile Hirsch has been officially charged with felony assault for attacking a female Hollywood executive at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, according to TMZ. The 29-year-old “Girl Next Door” actor is due in court March 16 and could face up to five years in prison if convicted of aggravated assault.

Last month, a police report stated that the altercation between Hirsch and Daniele Bernfeld, a Paramount Pictures executive, began when the “Into The Wild” actor approached Bernfeld at a party at the Tao nightclub in Park City, Utah, in the early morning hours of Jan. 25. Hirsch, who was reported as being intoxicated, then allegedly started taunting Bernfeld, asking her why she looked “so tough” and referring to her as a “rich kid” who didn’t belong at Sundance.

Bernfeld told police she attempted to walk away from Hirsch, but he followed her and then put her in a chokehold from behind. The exec said she felt as though “the front and back of her throat were touching” before things started “going dark."

After Bernfeld went unconscious, two unidentified bystanders jumped in and pulled Hirsch off of her, the report stated. Police were then called to the scene, where they found Hirsch slurring his words and unsteady on his feet, despite claiming he had had only three to four drinks.

When the officers spoke to Bernfeld, they noticed red marks on her neck and upper chest, which corroborated with her story of being choked. Ultimately, Hirsch was charged with third-degree felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor intoxication.

Since the altercation, Hirsch’s spokesman, Robert Offer, has released a statement. The statement, obtained by TMZ, says Hirsch had consumed an “enormous amount of alcohol” that evening and has no recollection of what happened.

“Emile takes these allegations very seriously, and is devastated that any of this has occurred," Offer said. "A few days after the incident, Emile sought help and checked himself into an alcohol rehabilitation facility, where he remains today, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again."