Rich Swann pleads no contest, found guilty of disorderly public intoxication charge
Image: TNA Wrestling
Rich Swann was found guilty by a Florida court on charges of disorderly public intoxication and causing a disturbance on Wednesday, stemming from a June arrest.
Swann is responsible for nearly $500 in fines and legal fees, and is on six months probation. Once the fines are paid and the probationary period is up, the case will be closed.
Swann, a former TNA World Champion currently on suspension by the company, pleaded nolo contendere before the ruling came down. That plea is where a defendant doesn’t admit to guilt, but accepts a conviction as though a guilty plea had been entered.
Swann was arrested on June 8th in Altamonte Springs, Florida, after he attempted to enter an apartment near his home that he allegedly mistook for his own, leaving when the resident announced he had a gun and then showed it to Swann. That was followed by a call to police from a woman who alleged Swann approached her and followed her to her front door after saying he wanted to speak with her.
Swann, who was set to voluntarily enter substance abuse rehab following the arrest, recently showed his 60-day coin for sobriety on social media.
TNA Wrestling was first made aware of the arrest in mid-August — more than two months after it happened. During that span, he wrestled frequently for TNA and for several indie promotions.
After then learning about the arrest, they suspended him “pending the completion of its investigation into the incidents” but there has been no update as to his future with the company.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.