The Bam Margera manhunt began on April 23, 2023, after the former Jackass star allegedly beat his brother and threatened to kill family members at his Chester County, Pennsylvania, home, then ran into the woods before state troopers arrived. Pennsylvania State Police searched for him for four days. He turned himself in on April 27, 2023, was charged with simple assault, harassment, and four counts of terroristic threats, and eventually pleaded guilty to two summary counts of disorderly conduct in June 2024, receiving six months of probation.1PhillyVoice. Bam Margera Pleads Guilty Disorderly Conduct Chester County Probation
What Happened at the House
Around 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023, troopers from the Avondale barracks were called to the 400 block of Hickory Hill Road in Pocopson Township, the property Margera has called “Castle Bam.”2ABC7 New York. Bam Margera Arrest Warrant According to the criminal complaint and affidavit, Margera had been at the family home and had been awake for days.3NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Pleads Not Guilty
Prosecutors alleged that Margera pounded on and kicked the locked bedroom door of his brother, Jesse Margera, the CKY drummer. When Jesse came out into the kitchen, Bam allegedly punched him in the eye, nose, and ear.4WHYY. Bam Margera Appears in Court Chester County Jesse suffered a ruptured eardrum.5NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Six Months Probation Plea Family Altercation
According to Jesse’s account, Bam threatened to kill everyone in the house, naming their father, Phil Margera, and two other people who were present.6Entertainment Weekly. Bam Margera Threatened Father Hit Brother Police Say Police recovered a handwritten note signed “Bam” that read, “If you ever think of calling the police on me I will officially [expletive] you up.”2ABC7 New York. Bam Margera Arrest Warrant During the same visit, Margera’s girlfriend also reportedly called police, alleging he had kicked in her bedroom door.5NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Six Months Probation Plea Family Altercation
The Four-Day Search and Surrender
Margera left the house before troopers arrived and ran into a wooded area. State police searched the immediate area, could not find him, and opened a tip line asking the public for help.7WGAL. Pennsylvania State Police Arrest Warrant Bam Margera On April 24, 2023, a District Court in Kennett Square formally issued an arrest warrant charging Margera with simple assault, harassment, and four counts of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another.8NBC News. Arrest Warrant Issued for Bam Margera
He stayed out of custody for four days. On the morning of Thursday, April 27, 2023, Margera walked into the Avondale barracks and turned himself in.9Revolver Magazine. Bam Margera Turns Himself in to Police After Manhunt He was fingerprinted, photographed, and arraigned that day before Magisterial District Judge Albert Iacocca.10Delaware County Times. Bam No Longer on the Lam
Bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. As conditions of release, Margera was ordered not to contact his brother, his father, or the two other people present during the incident. He was barred from visiting the Pocopson Township property, required to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, and required to check in weekly with Chester County Pre-Trial Services.10Delaware County Times. Bam No Longer on the Lam He pleaded not guilty.4WHYY. Bam Margera Appears in Court Chester County On July 27, 2023, a judge ruled he must stand trial while continuing to comply with drug and alcohol restrictions.11NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Arrest Radnor Hotel
How the Case Was Resolved
The Chester County case ended with a plea deal on June 26, 2024. Margera pleaded guilty to two summary offenses of disorderly conduct, a significant reduction from the original charges of simple assault, harassment, and four counts of terroristic threats. He was sentenced to six months of probation.1PhillyVoice. Bam Margera Pleads Guilty Disorderly Conduct Chester County Probation His attorney at sentencing, William J. Brennan, told reporters Margera was “clean, sober and productive.”12KTXS. Bam Margera Sentenced to Probation After Guilty Plea in Family Altercation
Earlier in the case, Margera had been represented by Michael van der Veen, the Philadelphia attorney known for representing Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial and co-representing the Trump Organization in its New York tax fraud case.13Los Angeles Times. Bam Margera in Good Health and Good Spirits Attorney Reports
The DUI Arrest That Followed
The plea deal did not close the book. Less than three months into probation, on September 16, 2024, Margera was arrested in McConnellsburg, Fulton County, Pennsylvania, on charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving. His blood alcohol content was reported at 0.14 percent, nearly twice the legal limit. Margera told authorities he had been on a solo road trip and “slipped during his third day alone.”14The Morning Call. New Evaluation Ordered for Bam Margera in Wake of DUI Arrest
Because the arrest broke the drug and alcohol conditions of his Chester County probation, a bench warrant issued for a probation violation.15NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Pleads Not Guilty DUI Fulton County He was ordered to remain in custody while a judge arranged a substance abuse evaluation.16Philadelphia Inquirer. Bam Margera DUI Arrest Hearing He was later required to enter a short-term inpatient program at the Recovery Centers of America, with a court warning that any noncompliance would trigger another bench warrant.17Yahoo Entertainment. Bam Margera Seeks Help Jail
On February 3, 2026, Margera pleaded not guilty to the probation violation allegations. His next court date was set for April 7, 2026.15NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Pleads Not Guilty DUI Fulton County
The Wider Run of Arrests in 2023
The April manhunt did not come out of nowhere. Margera had already been arrested twice in California in the weeks before.
On March 2, 2023, he was arrested in Escondido on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant, dating partner, or fellow parent, for allegedly kicking an unidentified woman. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility and released the next day after posting $50,000 bail.18People. Bam Margera Arrested Domestic Violence Charge
On March 29, 2023, Burbank police were called to a Thai restaurant around 3:45 p.m. after Margera allegedly yelled at a woman inside the establishment while his estranged wife, Nicole Boyd, and their son were present. He was arrested on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge.19Page Six. Bam Margera Arrested for Public Intoxication After Argument at Restaurant
During the same period, a 28-year-old Oceanside, California, resident named Daniel Cardenas sought a restraining order, alleging Margera burst into his home in the middle of the night and threatened to kill him with brass knuckles. A judge initially granted a temporary order requiring Margera to stay 100 yards away, but it was dismissed shortly after.20TMZ. Bam Margera Alleged Brass Knuckles Death Threat Restraining Order
In August 2023, Margera was cited again for public intoxication and disorderly conduct after a disturbance at the Radnor Hotel in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Those charges were withdrawn in March 2024.21WHYY. Bam Margera Charges Dropped Radnor Hotel
Where Things Stand Now
The Chester County disorderly conduct case is closed. The probation violation stemming from the Fulton County DUI is not. Margera pleaded not guilty on February 3, 2026, and is due back in court on April 7, 2026.15NBC Philadelphia. Bam Margera Pleads Not Guilty DUI Fulton County