Rudy Youngblood, the actor known for his breakout role in Mel Gibson’s 2006 film Apocalypto, is back in the headlines—but this time for serious legal trouble.
The Texas-born star was arrested early Tuesday morning in Belton, Texas, facing allegations of assault just months after a tumultuous encounter with authorities overseas.
Arrest Details in Belton
Belton police officers took Youngblood into custody after a warrant was issued accusing him of “assaulting a family or household member by impeding their breathing or circulation,” according to TMZ.
The arrest occurred shortly after an officer stopped to speak with the owner of a vehicle parked near a Lake Belton boat ramp around 12:20 AM.
Authorities also reported that a white crystalline substance was found on Youngblood at the time of his arrest.
He was booked at the Belton Police Department at 1:43 AM, and his bond has been set at $20,000.
Additional charges could be pending, depending on lab results.
Legal Troubles Across the Globe
This arrest isn’t the first time Youngblood has made headlines for legal issues.
Less than a year ago, the actor had a run-in with police in Athens, Greece.
According to Greek publication To Vima, Youngblood was stopped on December 27th for allegedly being intoxicated and threatening officers with a knife during a routine check.
Youngblood claimed the officers were not properly identified and failed to explain his rights.
At the time, he was charged with resisting arrest, making threats, and carrying a weapon due to possession of a pocketknife.
He was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a suspended sentence, but a visa issue complicated his release, leading to a deportation order.
Youngblood later successfully appealed and was allowed to leave Greece voluntarily.
A Pattern of Legal Incidents
The actor’s brushes with the law date back further.
In 2017, he was arrested for allegedly being drunk and disorderly at a casino in Texas.
While he faced a charge of disorderly intoxication, it was eventually dropped, according to TMZ.
Rising to Fame with Apocalypto
Despite his legal troubles, Youngblood’s career began on a high note.
He played Jaguar Paw, a tribesman fleeing the collapse of Mayan civilization, in Apocalypto.
The film, delivered entirely in Mayan dialect, grossed over $120 million worldwide.
Reflecting on his experience with Mel Gibson, Youngblood told People magazine in 2006, “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.”
Recent Acting Work
Youngblood has continued to appear in films over the years.
His recent projects include the 2023 horror film The Haunting of Hell Hole Mine, as well as Dandelion Season (2021), Hell on the Border (2019), Wind Walkers (2015), and Beatdown (2010).
Looking Ahead
For now, Youngblood remains in custody in Belton as authorities investigate the latest allegations.
With a history of international legal troubles and previous arrests, the actor’s future in Hollywood—and beyond—remains uncertain.