Ellis said his longtime partner, Todd Michael Schultz, has “severe mental health problems exacerbated by drugs,” according to The New York Times.
Todd Michael Schultz, the 14-year partner of author Bret Easton Ellis, was arrested and charged with trespassing, authorities said.
Schultz, 37, was arrested Tuesday at the West Hollywood apartment building where he lives with the 59-year-old writer (American Psycho, Less Than Zero, The Rules of Attraction), police confirm to PEOPLE.
There is no evidence to suggest Ellis had anything to do with the alleged trespass, authorities said.
In a text message, Ellis said The New York Times that Schultz had “severe mental health problems exacerbated by drugs.”
He added that Schultz suffered a psychotic breakdown, but that the episode was non-violent, according to the source. According to the author, Schultz did not attempt to break in, but accidentally entered the open apartment thinking it was Ellis’ residence.
At the time of the incident, a distraught resident of the apartment called 911 and told dispatchers that a man entered her home and began searching through her belongings, The New York Times reported. She also told management that the man was “unresponsive” when she asked him to leave.
After the call, building officials arrived at the residence and detained the man, later identified as Schultz, at the point of sale.
As the events unfolded, several police cars arrived at the West Hollywood building and Ellis was walking on the sidewalk while talking on the phone, an anonymous bystander told this newspaper. The writer appeared to be in trouble, an eyewitness noted.
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Schultz was originally scheduled to appear in court Friday, but it was postponed until next Tuesday because he was not “in a position” to be in court, Ellis said The New York Times.
He is being held on $51,000 bail, it said Los Angeles Timeswho cited the police.
Ahead of his delayed court appearance, Schultz was confined to the psychiatric unit at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, according to The New York Times.
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Source: HIS Education