Denise Richards’ estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, has been formally charged with four felonies tied to alleged domestic violence and witness intimidation.
This comes days after his dramatic courtroom arrest.
According to court documents, Phypers faces two felony counts of injuring a spouse and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.
He posted $200,000 bail after being taken into custody Friday, following a tense scene in which he was handcuffed in court and escorted out by sheriff’s deputies. Authorities later returned to the courtroom to collect his cellphone.
The charges stem from ongoing disputes between Phypers and Richards, who has accused her estranged husband of harassment, abuse, and the unauthorized distribution of private material. Earlier this year, Richards filed court documents alleging that Phypers stole her computer and disseminated nude photographs to media outlets. A Los Angeles judge ordered Phypers to return Richards’ laptop within 48 hours and barred him from sharing any private or sexually explicit content allegedly obtained from her personal devices. Richards claimed in her petition that Phypers threatened her safety, saying she would “disappear” if she went to the police.
Phypers, who filed for divorce from Richards in July, citing irreconcilable differences, has denied all allegations of theft, harassment, and abuse. He has also requested spousal support from the “Real Housewives” star.
Richards has testified extensively about what she described as years of physical and emotional abuse. In documents filed with the court, she detailed multiple violent encounters, claiming Phypers choked her, slapped her, and caused several concussions during their relationship. She also recounted an incident in May at a Los Angeles hotel, shortly after she underwent cosmetic surgery. Richards said Phypers became volatile and physically aggressive, leading her to fear for her safety.
Following these allegations, Richards was granted a temporary restraining order against Phypers. The actress shares two daughters with her ex-husband Charlie Sheen and one daughter with Phypers.