Apocalypto star Rudy Youngblood released from Greek jail after he threatened police officers with a knife

Rudy Youngblood was released from prison in Athens, Greece, on Friday after being arrested a week ago following a confrontation with police officers.

The actor, 42, best known for his starring role in Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, spent New Year’s Eve in jail after he was arrested for allegedly being drunk and threatening officers with a knife in the early hours of December 27, according to Greece publication To Vima.

The altercation occurred after a routine police stop outside an Athens-area district, and Youngblood claims officers wore no identifying badges and did not explain his rights.

The Texas resident – ​​who was previously arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct in 2017 – was charged with resisting arrest, uttering threats and carrying a weapon for being in possession of a pocketknife.

He was quickly sentenced to ten months in prison with a suspended sentence after his arrest, but was not released because his visa had expired, prompting a deportation order. He subsequently successfully appealed his deportation and was allowed to leave Greece voluntarily.

Youngblood appeared in good spirits Friday after his release and was pictured smiling.

He is best known for starring in Mel Gibson’s 2006 action film Apocalypto; depicted in a still from the film

The actor wore a black leather jacket over a gray T-shirt and blue jeans. A brown leather bag slung over his shoulder.

In his appeal, Youngblood described the events following his arrest in Kypseli.

He claimed that plainclothes officers stopped him and did not identify themselves, and that he did not know they were police due to a language barrier, which he said led to a defensive response. Greek reporter.

Police allege that Youngblood pulled out a pocket knife to threaten officers during the incident.

But Youngblood insists he did not resist or attack police.

“I didn’t realize they were officers until they handcuffed me,” he said. The actor said 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 for a film shoot since the end of August, but his visa expired at the end of November. The law allows a stay of up to 90 days.

The actor spent New Year’s Eve in jail after allegedly threatening officers with a knife on December 27. He was charged with resisting arrest, uttering threats and carrying a weapon

Youngblood appeared in good spirits Friday after his release and was pictured smiling

He was sentenced to ten months in prison with a suspended sentence after his arrest, but was not released because his visa had expired, prompting a deportation order. He subsequently successfully appealed his deportation and was allowed to leave Greece voluntarily

Youngblood claims his doctor advised against travel due to his ongoing health problems.

He reportedly believed his medical condition was a legitimate reason to remain in the country until travel was safe.

Youngblood was previously arrested for being drunk and disorderly at a casino in 2017.

He allegedly verbally abused other poker players at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami.

Police called to the casino by security staff said the actor smelled of alcohol and was unclear. TMZ reported at the time.

He was arrested in January that year and charged with disorderly intoxication, but the charges were later dropped, according to sources.

Texas-born Rudy played tribe member Jaguar Paw in Gibson’s 2006 film Apocalypto, who is forced to flee as the Mayan civilization is about to end.

The film, spoken in the Mayan dialect, was a box office hit, grossing more than $120 million worldwide.

Youngblood was previously arrested for being drunk and disorderly at 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 film Apocalypto, who is forced to flee as the Mayan civilization is about to end; seen quietly

Youngblood last appeared in the 2023 horror film The Haunting of Hell Hole Mine. His other credits also include Dandelion Season (2021) and Beatdown (2010 – pictured)

Speaking about the collaboration with Mel in a People magazine interview in 2006, Rudy said: ‘Mel is a great guy, very smart. It clicked automatically and we came together.’

‘He looked 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 film 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).