Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Dan Bilzerian: Instagram playboy arrested for 'attempting to make bomb'

If convicted, the poker player and 'venture capitalist' could face up to six years in prison

Victoria Richards
Thursday 11 December 2014 07:48 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Instagram playboy Dan Bilzerian was reportedly arrested at Los Angeles Airport on Tuesday following claims that he tried to make a bomb.

The professional gambler and actor, 34, was being held without bail before being released on Wednesday, L.A Weekly said.

He is believed to have been arrested following a complaint from the Clark County District Attorney's office last month, which claimed that he had ammonium, aluminum powder, and ammonium nitrate mix – which, when mixed together, would make TNT. It also alleged that he possessed such a device.

An official with the Clark County District Attorney's office told the magazine that possessing bomb-making equipment could carry a prison sentence of one to six years, and having a device could result in one to four years in jail. Each count also carries the possibility of a $5,000 fine.

Prior to his arrest, Mr Bilzerian had been in Miami to attend Art Basel and celebrate his birthday. But he was forcibly ejected from a nightclub on Saturday night, after he allegedly physically assaulted a woman by kicking her in the face.

He was said to have been dancing on a stage at LIV, in Miami Beach, when he 'kicked' model Vanessa Castano. Mr Bilzerian said on Instagram that two girls had "attacked" someone he was with - though he later deleted the post. According to other reports, Ms Castano was trying to block someone trying to join him on the platform.

TMZ reported that police were called, but the victim decided not to press charges.

The self-titled 'King of Instagram' is a gun lover who has posed for photos with high-power, military grade rifles. He has 5.6 million followers on the photo-sharing site, on which he posts regular snaps of gambling and naked women.

He's no stranger to controversy – in May, he threw 19-year-old model Janice Griffith off a roof into a pool at his home in Las Vegas as part of a Hustler photoshoot, but missed. The model broke her foot and made an unsuccessful bid for $85,000 in compensation.

Following his arrest, Mr Bilzerian posted a photograph on his Twitter account with the words: 'Jail... Let's not do that again'.

The L.A. Times reported that Mr Bilzerian is scheduled to appear in a Clark County court in January.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in