The suspect is being held on $20,000 bail.
The man accused of stealing Frances McDormand’s Oscar at the Governors Ball on Sunday night was charged Tuesday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Terry Bryant, 47, was charged with felony theft, according to the D.A.’s office.
Technically, the Oscar belongs to the Academy — all the awards are just on loan to the winners, which his why it is illegal to sell one. So, it is the organization that worked with authorities on the investigation. McDormand has yet to publicly comment on the situation.
Bryant is accused of stealing McDormand’s best actress Oscar, won for her role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, at the night post-show party and pretending the award was his. The suspect even posted a video of himself with the statue on social media. The video has since been removed. It is unclear by whom.
The tuxedo-wearing Bryant was stopped by a photographer at the party who sensed something was not right with the situation. He retrieved the Oscar and security was called.
The suspect did have a ticket to the party, police said. It is unclear how he obtained one, but the Governors Ball ticket accompanies a show ticket. However, not all show attendees get a Ball ticket.
Once the Oscar was taken back, Fox Searchlight publicist Barry Dale Johnson took it to Vanity Fair’s Oscar party in Beverly Hills where by that time McDormand had gone along with husband Joel Coen and their son. Coen watched over the award at that party.
The Academy has yet to comment on the situation.
Bryant was arrested around midnight and booked around 3 a.m.
He is due to be arraigned Wednesday and is being held on $20,000 bail.
He faces a maximum sentence of three years in county jail if convicted.
Be the first to comment