Grammys Crasher Vitalii Sediuk Charged, Facing Six-Month Jail Sentence

Vitalii Sediuk

Sediuk in a swan dress detained by LAPD outside the Oscars.

The Los Angeles City Attorneyhas filed charges againstVitalii Sediuk, the notorious Ukrainian TV prankster who crashed the Grammy Awards last February and mounted the stage during Adele's trophy win.

The safety and protection of both participants and attendees of major events held in this city is a priority of my office, said City Attorney Carmen Trutanich in a statement. In this age of heightened security, any person who intentionally crosses that line and acts in an irresponsible manner will be held accountable for his or her actions.

Sediuk, 24, was charged with one count of willfully leaving a spectator area and entering a performance area and one count of interfering and delaying program participants. The charges could bring a maximum sentence of six months in jail, plus a $1,000 fine for each count.

Arraignment is scheduled for May 31, 2013, in Department 82 of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Deputy City Attorneys Will Rivera and Heidi Matz are assigned to prosecute the case.

Sediuk made international headlines after The Hollywood Reporter broke the storythat he was the man behind the stunt, which saw him take the stage alongside Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull as they presented Adele with the award for best pop solo performance.

"It's such an honor to receive this award," Sediuk said, adding, "I love you, Adele," before Lopez guided him offstage. The moment was televised around the world to an audience of 28 million.

Sediuk had another brush with the law during the Academy Awards, when he showed up to the Dolby Theatre wearing a replica of Bjork's swan dress and carrying a basket filled with souvenir Oscars.

Police on the scene had been provided by the Academy with a printout of the TV presenter's face and a description of his Grammy exploits. The Academy had also sent Sediuk a threatening legal letter telling him that he would be arrested if he attempted to gain entrance to the movie awards ceremony.

Officers on the scene let him go with a warning.

Sediuk was not immediately available for comment.