Rudy Youngblood has been released from jail in Athens, Greece, on Friday, after being arrested a week ago following a confrontation with police officers.
The actor, 42, best known for starring in Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, spent New Year’s Eve in jail, after he was stopped for allegedly being intoxicated and threatening officers with a knife in the early hours of December 27th, as per Greek publication To Vima.
The altercation took place following a routine police check outside an Athens-area precinct, and Youngblood claims that officers were not wearing identifying insignia and did not explain his rights.
The Texas native — who was previously arrested for being drunk and disorderly in 2017 — was charged with resisting arrest, making threats and carrying a weapon, as he was found in possession of a pocketknife.
He was swiftly sentenced to 10 months in prison with a suspended sentence following his arrest, but was not released because his visa had expired, prompting a deportation order. He then successfully appealed his deportation and was granted permission to leave Greece voluntarily.
Youngblood looked to be in good spirits on Friday upon his release, and was pictured flashing a smile.
Rudy Youngblood, 42, has been released from jail in Athens, Greece, on Friday, after being arrested a week ago following a confrontation with police officers (pictured on Friday)
He is best known for starring in Mel Gibson’s 2006 action film Apocalypto; pictured in a still from the movie
The actor sported a black leather jacket over a grey t-shirt and blue jeans. Slung over his shoulder was a brown leather bag.
In his appeal, Youngblood described the events following his arrest in Kypseli.
He alleged that plainclothes officers stopped him and did not identify themselves, and that due to a language barrier he did not know they were police, which led to a defensive reaction, according to Greek Reporter.
Police claim Youngblood pulled out a pocket knife to threaten the officers during the incident.
But Youngblood maintains he did not resist or assault the police.
‘I didn’t realize they were officers until after they handcuffed me,’ he stated. The actor said that he was not informed of his rights during the arrest.
During legal proceedings it was discovered that his visa had expired.
The actor has been in Greece since late August for a film shoot, but his visa expired at the end of November. The law permits a stay of up to 90 days.
The actor spent New Year’s Eve in jail after reportedly threatening officers with a knife on December 27th. He was charged with resisting arrest, making threats and carrying a weapon
Youngblood looked to be in good spirits on Friday upon his release, and was pictured flashing a smile
He was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a suspended sentence following his arrest, but was not released because his visa had expired, prompting a deportation order. He then successfully appealed his deportation and was granted permission to leave Greece voluntarily
Youngblood asserts that his doctor advised against travel due to his ongoing health concerns.
He reportedly believed his medical condition provided a legitimate reason to stay in the country until travel was safe.
Youngblood was previously arrested for being drunk and disorderly in a casino in 2017.
He was allegedly verbally abusive to other poker players at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami.
Police called to the casino by security staff said the actor reeked of alcohol and was slurring, TMZ reported at the time.
He was arrested in January of that year and charged with disorderly intoxication, but the charges were later dropped, according to sources.
Texas-born Rudy played tribesman Jaguar Paw in Gibson’s 2006 film Apocalypto, who is forced to flee as Mayan civilization is about to end.
The film, which was spoken in Mayan dialect, was a box office hit, grossing over $120million worldwide.
Youngblood was previously arrested for being drunk and disorderly in a casino in 2017; pictured in 2007 at Mood nightclub in Los Angeles
Texas-born Rudy played tribesman Jaguar Paw in Gibson’s 2006 hit movie Apocalypto, who is forced to flee as Mayan civilization is about to end; seen in a still
Youngblood most recently appeared in the 2023 horror The Haunting of Hell Hole Mine. His other credits also include Dandelion Season (2021), and Beatdown (2010 – pictured)
Speaking about working with Mel in a People magazine interview in 2006, Rudy said: ‘Mel is a great guy – very smart. We automatically clicked and came together.’
‘He would look at me, and I knew what he wanted. He helped me a lot because this was my first film.’
Youngblood most recently appeared in the 2023 horror The Haunting of Hell Hole Mine.
His other credits also include Dandelion Season (2021), Hell on the Border (2019), Wind Walkers (2015), and Beatdown (2010).