Emile Hirsch: Into the rehab

Ann Oldenburg | USA TODAY

Facing a charge of felony assault for attacking a Paramount executive at the Sundance Film Festival in January, Emile Hirsch has checked into rehab.

The Into the Wild actor actually sought help a "few days after the incident," his lawyer Robert Offer says in a statement that went out Friday.

Prosecutors said Thursday that Hirsch's charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The actor, 29, is said to have put a chokehold on Daniele Bernfeld, who works for Paramount.

His lawyer says Hirsch doesn't remember exactly what happened that night: "Emile consumed an enormous amount of alcohol on the evening in question and he has no memory of what happened."

Offer adds, "Emile takes these allegations very seriously, and is devastated that any of this has occurred. A few days after the incident, Emile sought help and checked himself into an alcohol rehabilitation facility, where he remains today, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again."

Hirsch is due in court on March 16.