ROCKWALL, TEXAS: Former Disney star Mitchel Musso broke his silence following his recent arrest in Rockwall, Texas.
The actor and musician, best known for his role as Oliver Oken on the hit show 'Hannah Montana,' vehemently denied charges of theft and public intoxication that led to his arrest over the weekend.
Musso, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, expressed his frustration over the incident.
"I was absolutely not drunk or drinking, and there was 100% no theft," Musso asserted. He described the situation as an unfortunate misunderstanding.
Mitchel Musso arrested in Texas
According to Rockwall County jail records, Musso was taken into custody on Saturday evening, August 26. The charges brought against him included public intoxication and theft of an item valued at under $100.
The Rockwall County Police Department indicated that officers responded to a disturbance call at the SpringHill Suites Dallas Rockwall, where an individual who "appeared intoxicated" had entered the hotel and allegedly taken a bag of chips.
Musso, however, offered a different perspective. He denied ever opening the bag of chips, explaining that he and his friends had come from a docked boat on the harbor to restock their snacks.
He claimed that a hotel employee, who seemed "extremely disgruntled," denied him service due to his attire—board shorts only.
Musso expressed his surprise, stating, "I didn't know it was illegal not to wear shirts these days." He further stated that the employee grabbed the chips from his hand after an exchange of words.
He further said, "He told me to 'get the f**k out,' were the words he used. And that kind of set me off. And he said, 'I'm gonna call the police' and I said go for it."
Musso asserted, "The truth's gonna come out. I've never stolen anything in my life and did not steal any chips nor was I drunk or drunken or drank or inappropriate to anybody inside that hotel."
Verbal altercation and hotel staff's response
The situation escalated when the hotel staffers asked Musso to pay for the chips. According to the police press release, Musso became "verbally abusive" and eventually left the premises.
A hotel manager declined to provide specifics about the incident, calling it "sensitive."
"I was the one who was being verbally abused and also harassed. Someone ripping something out of your hand is not the most polite manners to have in this situation," Musso stated.
His claims of verbal harassment by the employee were reportedly met with a dismissive response from the manager, "You know what, he can say whatever he wants to say. That's his story, that's fine."
The incident took a more serious turn when additional police units arrived at the scene.
"There was literally, there was 10, 11 cop cars, 20 officers outside surrounding me and that's when I got scared," Musso recalled, saying he ultimately decided to cooperate with the officers, leading to his arrest.
Musso added, "I shut my mouth and I just put my hands behind my back because that's where it was going to begin with, and I let them take me in."
Apart from the initial charges, a routine records check uncovered several outstanding traffic warrants, resulting in additional charges related to traffic violations.
Musso explained that unpaid tickets from 2019, stemming from his time living in Rockwall, were the main reason for his arrest.
"I haven't lived in Rockwall for years and I guess they'd been sending it to my old house there. And it had become a warrant and they used it against me," Musso stated.
He explained, "So since then, all of those warrants have been paid and the matter has been resolved."
Mitchel Musso released
Following a night in jail, Musso was released after posting a $1,000 bond. Undeterred by the incident, he returned to the studio to work on his upcoming album, featuring collaborations with well-known artistes.
He also hinted at an "incredible" film project he has joined but cannot share details about at this time.
Despite the ordeal, Musso maintained his love for the Rockwall area, where he grew up and once received the key to the city.
"I love that area, it's really sad that this is what it's come to," Musso reflected.
As for the bag of chips that sparked the incident, Musso struggled to recall the exact brand but mentioned that he believed it was a type of potato chip, possibly Ruffles.
"I'm pretty sure it was Ruffles. One of my favorites. I like the waves in them. They hold dip well," Musso quipped.
