Director Charged With Arson, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse

LOS ANGELES, CA — Film director Scott Speer pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges including arson and domestic violence Friday. If the "Step Up Revolution" filmmaker is convicted, he faces serious prison.

The L.A. County District Attorney's Office charged Speer with arson, domestic violence, child abuse, criminal threats and resisting arrest., stemming from an April incident at his Hollywood Hills home.

The 36-year-old filmmaker got into an argument with his wife, striking her and setting a broom on fire in an effort to burn down the house, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The couple's 7-month-old daughter was inside the home at the time, according to prosecutors. The incident happened April 18, and police arrested him at the scene after he allegedly threatened to start more fires.

He was released early the next morning on bond, according to jail records. He's since gone into rehab in Utah, TMZ reported.

Patch was unable to reach Speer for comment Thursday.

A date is scheduled to be set June 17 for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial. If convicted as charged, Speer could face up to 11 years and eight months in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.