The Cuban-American actor Pedro Moreno, known for his roles in soap operas in the United States and Latin America, was released this Friday after being arrested due to a domestic incident that occurred in the home he still shares with his wife, Bárbara Estévez, in the southwestern part of Miami-Dade County.
The 44-year-old actor was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly before 4:00 am, after spending just over a day in custody.
The altercation that led to his arrest occurred on Wednesday around 11:20 PM when the couple -currently in the process of divorce- had an argument over a cell phone that escalated into a struggle.
"He never hit me."
"He never hit me. It was a struggle over the phone. I never thought it would end with him in jail," Estévez stated in an interview with Telemundo 51, making it clear that she does not wish to press charges against Moreno.
However, Florida law allows the prosecution to continue with the judicial process even if the alleged victim decides not to cooperate, as long as there are sufficient witnesses or evidence.
One of the couple's daughters witnessed the incident and offered her own phone for her mother to call 911, which led to the police intervention.
Moreno defends himself and asks for respect for his privacy
Upon his release from prison, Pedro Moreno avoided going into details but called on the media to handle the situation with discretion.
"The more discreet we remain about the situation, as I have always managed the situation at home, that's how it will stay," he said before the cameras.
The actor also denied some versions that circulated on social media and in the press, calling them false.
"I found out in there that they're saying I robbed a store, that I entered armed, an armed robbery at my house to steal my wife's cellphone. It has nothing to do with me," he clarified.
"Whatever my wife said is correct. Read the affidavit. Don't add a single word. Don't take away a single word," he demanded firmly.
Discussion over a phone
Both the actor and his wife, parents of three children aged 11, 16, and 21, assert that what happened between them did not warrant an arrest.
Bárbara described Moreno as an excellent father and husband, and she claims that when she called the police, she thought the officers would come merely to resolve the dispute, without any significant consequences.
"I had no idea at any moment that they were going to take him away, because there was nothing physical," he emphasized.
"Those who have followed Pedro's career and know him personally know that in the 20 years he’s been with me, he has never laid a finger on me, never. Everyone has their arguments and their issues. We have always kept everything private..." he added.
According to the police report, the argument arose when Moreno took Bárbara's cellphone and refused to return it after he started looking through it. This led to a physical struggle over the device, valued at around 250 dollars.
"This shows that we are a real couple, like many couples who have disagreements, who experience moments of happiness and moments of crisis," he justified.
Next legal steps
Although no bruises or injuries were reported, the incident was initially classified as robbery with physical violence in a context of domestic violence, a charge that was dismissed by the judge during the bail hearing held on Thursday.
Instead, Moreno was charged with simple assault and a bond of $1,000 was set, although the magistrate offered him the option to be released without paying it.
The legal process is ongoing, and Moreno is required to appear before the court again on June 13. For now, he remains free and has expressed his interest in keeping the situation private, primarily out of respect for his three children and to protect the family environment.
Professional trajectory
Pedro Moreno has appeared in numerous popular telenovelas such as "El rostro de Analía," "Una familia con suerte," and "Me declaro culpable."
In addition, in recent years, he has ventured into the residential and commercial construction sector in Florida, where he runs his own company.
The incident has reignited the debate surrounding the privacy of public figures during sensitive personal matters, such as a divorce, and how these can impact their image, even in the absence of direct evidence of violence.
Frequently asked questions about the arrest of Pedro Moreno
Why was actor Pedro Moreno arrested in Miami?
Pedro Moreno was arrested for a domestic incident that occurred during an argument with his wife over a mobile phone. The altercation led to a struggle, which prompted police intervention and his subsequent arrest.
What charges is Pedro Moreno facing?
Initially, Pedro Moreno faced a charge of robbery with physical violence in a context of domestic violence, but the judge dismissed this charge and reduced it to simple assault. A bail of $1,000 was set for him, although he was offered the option to be released without paying it.
What did Pedro Moreno's wife say about the incident?
Pedro Moreno's wife, Bárbara Estévez, stated that he never hit her and that the incident was merely a struggle over the phone. She affirmed that she does not wish to press charges against him and emphasized that there was no physical violence during the altercation.
What next steps will Pedro Moreno face in the judicial process?
Pedro Moreno must appear before the court again on June 13. In the meantime, he remains free and has expressed his desire to keep the details of the case private, mainly out of respect for his children.
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