Emile Hirsch charged with felony assault

PARK CITY, Utah, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Lone Survivor actor Emile Hirsch was charged with felony assault Thursday for allegedly putting a film executive in a chokehold at the Sundance Film Festival last month.

The alleged incident took place in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 25 at TAO nightclub.

Hirsch, 29, is accused of getting into a fight with the Paramount Pictures vice president of digital entertainment, Dani Bernfeld. She pushed him away but he allegedly came back up behind her and put her in a chokehold.

Court documents indicate Hirsch pulled her across a table and onto the floor where he wrapped his arms around her neck.

Bernfeld said her vision began to go dark and she may have temporarily blacked out.

Hirsch was arrested that morning after bystanders allegedly pulled him off Bernfeld. Witnesses said he appeared intoxicated and had asked Bernfeld why she looked "so tough" and called her a "rich kid."

He was charged with third-degree aggravated assault and intoxication, a misdemeanor. Should he be convicted on the felony charge, Hirsch faces up to 5 years in prison.

Hirsch was attending the film festival to promote his new movie, Ten Thousand Saints.