“Jackass” star Steve-O received five criminal charges Monday — creating a false emergency, use of unregistered fireworks, storing fireworks without a permit, possession of fireworks without a permit and trespassing — stemming from an early August incident in which he climbed to the top of a crane in Hollywood as a protest against SeaWorld and the subsequent search of his house, according to USA Today.
For the Aug. 9 stunt, previously reported by HNGN, Steve-O climbed a crane at a construction site on Sunset Blvd. that was at least 100 feet high and, once he got to the top of it, inflated a large killer whale balloon (that said “SeaWorld Sucks” on it) and set off fireworks. He was arrested once he climbed back down and reached the ground.
The 41-year-old daredevil drew a large number of emergency responders to the scene — five ambulances, a helicopter and more than 80 firefighters — and the city of Los Angeles is seeking financial restitution for the costs involved, said City Attorney’s Office spokesman Frank Mateljan, reported USA Today. An exact amount has yet to be determined.
If Steve-O gets convicted for all of the charges against him, he faces up to $4,500 in fines and up to four and a half years in prison, reported Entertainment Weekly.
Steve-O, whose legal name is Stephen Glover, live-streamed the protest on Facebook.
This is not the first time Steve-O protested against SeaWorld. In 2014, he vandalized a freeway directional sign in San Diego to read “Sea World Sucks,” reported San Diego’s Fox 5.
His protests are said to be responses to the 2013 documentary “Blackfish,” which examines killer whales, including Tilikum, an orca who currently lives at Orlando’s SeaWorld, who killed three people while in captivity.
Steve-O’s arraignment is set for Aug. 31.
