‘The Wire’ Actor Wendell Pierce Says Arrest Was a ‘Civil Political Discussion’ That Escalated

“What has been reported thus far differs in important respects from what actually occurred,” Pierce claims

Wendell Pierce
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Wendell Pierce, star of “The Wire” and the recent HBO movie “Confirmation,” says he regrets the actions that led up to his arrest in Atlanta over the weekend, and claims the incident was a “civil political discussion” that got out of control.

“I regret that what started as a civil political discussion escalated to the level that it did,” he tweeted.

“Although what has been reported thus far differs in important respects from what actually occurred,” he added.

Pierce was arrested early Saturday morning at Atlanta Loews Hotel.

According to the police report, a conversation about politics between Pierce, his girlfriend and a group also staying at the hotel got heated — at which time Maggie Baca, a member of the other party, said Pierce pushed one of her female friends.

Baca claimed that Pierce then followed the group to their room, which he allegedly tried to enter. From there, Baca said the group tried to push Pierce out when he began to hit her.

Pierce refutes Baca’s account, telling police that he followed the group to their room, but that she and the other two witnesses tried to pull him in as he fought to get away.

The 52-year-old actor was booked in Fulton County Jail and released later that day on a $1,000 bond.

“I have confidence that the judicial process will work as it should,” Pierce continued in his Twitter statement regarding the incident.

Pierce is best known for playing Det. “Bunk” Moreland on the HBO series “The Wire,” and most recently played Clarence Thomas in the pay-TV network’s original movie “Confirmation” opposite Kerry Washington.

He also appeared in the critically acclaimed film “Selma” and multiple episodes of CBS sitcom “The Odd Couple.”

See his tweets below.

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