Sean Penn Charged with Battery, Vandalism

Sean Penn (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES -- Actor Sean Penn is being charged with battery and vandalism for a scuffle with the paparazzi in October, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's office.

Penn is being charged with two misdemeanor counts, one for battery, and one for vandalism, according to spokesperson Frank Mateljan.

If convicted, Penn faces 18 months in jail, Mateljan told KTLA.

The scuffle broke out in Brentwood when a group of celebrity photographers were trying to take pictures of the actor director.

Witnesses say he became angry and kicked a paparazzo, allegedly breaking the photographer's camera. Jordan Dawes filed a police report against the actor on October 2 after allegedly being assaulted by Penn.

The incident was captured on video and was handed over to the city attorney's office.

"After reviewing the videotape, city attorneys decided to file charges," Mateljan said.

An arraignment date of March 22 has been set in the case at the airport courthouse.

Penn, however, does not have to appear because the charges are misdemeanors, Mateljan said.

It's not the first time Penn has gotten in trouble with the law after run-ins with photographers.

He served 33 days in jail in 1987 after assaulting a photographer on a film set during his marriage to Madonna. He was also charged with felony domestic assault during his marriage to Madonna.

Penn is the latest actor charged in Los Angeles for altercations with the paparazzi. Charges against rapper Kanye West and actor Gerard Butler were recently dismissed after both men completed community service after scuffles with celebrity photographers.

Penn has won two best actor Oscars for roles in "Mystic River" and "Milk."

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