'Apocalypto' star Rudy Youngblood arrested in Texas on felony assault charge

Actor Rudy Youngblood faces felony assault charge in Texas after alleged domestic incident

Rudy Youngblood, best known for his lead role in Mel Gibson’s 2006 film Apocalypto, has been arrested in Texas on a felony assault charge, according to TMZ. The 42-year-old actor was taken into custody by Belton police early Tuesday morning following a warrant issued for allegedly assaulting a family or household member by impeding their breathing or circulation.

Authorities stated the arrest occurred near a boat ramp at Lake Belton around 12:20 a.m. after an officer approached a parked vehicle and encountered Youngblood. In addition to the assault charge, officers reportedly discovered a white crystalline substance on the actor. Lab testing is pending, and additional charges may be filed depending on the results.

Youngblood was booked at 1:43 a.m. and is currently being held at the Belton Police Department on a $20,000 bond, according to Bell County inmate records. The charge—classified as a third-degree felony—carries serious legal consequences if convicted.

This arrest marks another legal incident for the Texas-born actor, who has faced previous run-ins with law enforcement. In late 2023, Youngblood was arrested in Athens, Greece, following a confrontation with police. He was accused of intoxication and threatening officers with a knife. That altercation led to charges of resisting arrest, making threats, and carrying a weapon. He received a 10-month suspended prison sentence but was held due to an expired visa, though he later won an appeal to leave the country voluntarily.

Youngblood rose to fame with his breakout performance as Jaguar Paw in Apocalypto, which grossed over $120 million globally. Speaking to People magazine in 2006, Youngblood described his close working relationship with director Mel Gibson, crediting him for mentorship during his debut role.

Most recently, Youngblood appeared in the 2023 horror film The Haunting of Hell Hole Mine. His past credits include Hell on the Border (2019), Wind Walkers (2015), and Beatdown (2010).