Michael Avenatti Arrested for Felony Domestic Violence, Confident He'll Be Exonerated

11/15 -- Stormy Daniels has just released a statement on the incident, saying, "These are serious and obviously very troubling allegations, but right now that is all they are: allegations. We should all reserve judgement until the investigation -- an investigation Michael has said he welcomes -- is complete, and that's what I'm going to do."

She continues ... "But of course I do not condone violence against women and if these allegations prove true I will be seeking new representation."

5:50 PM PT -- Avenatti bailed out and held a brief news conference, saying, "I have never struck a woman. I will never strike a woman." He added he's looking forward to the investigation and is confident he'll be "fully exonerated."

4:50 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the LAPD has already obtained an emergency protective order, prohibiting Avenatti from going near the alleged victim. We're told they will serve him with the legal docs before he's released from custody. We're told he will be released on $50,000 bail.

4:10 PM PT -- We were initially told by our sources the alleged victim was Avenatti's estranged wife. We now know it was not. The incident involved a different woman.

Michael Avenatti, who became famous for representing Stormy Daniels in her battle with President Trump, has been arrested for felony domestic violence ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Our law enforcement sources say Avenatti was arrested Wednesday after a woman filed a felony DV report. We're told her face was "swollen and bruised" with "red marks" on both cheeks.

Our sources say the alleged incident occurred Tuesday night, but there was another confrontation Wednesday between the two at an exclusive apartment building in the Century City area of L.A.

We're told Wednesday afternoon the woman was on the sidewalk on her cellphone with sunglasses covering her eyes, sobbing and screaming on the phone, "I can't believe you did this to me. I'm going to get a restraining order against you."

We're told security brought her inside the building, took her upstairs and Michael showed up 5 minutes later and ran into the building. He screamed repeatedly, "She hit me first." We're told he angrily added, "This is bulls***, this is f***ing bulls***." We're told he tried getting into the elevator but security denied him access.

Cops showed up and escorted Avenatti into a corner of the apartment lobby and spoke with him for 5 to 10 minutes and then took him into custody.

A law enforcement source says on Tuesday, Avenatti "kicked her out of the apartment" and that's when the alleged domestic violence occurred. We're told she went back to the apartment on Wednesday to retrieve her belongings and called police to stand by in case things got heated.

We're told Avenatti is currently in custody.

Originally Published -- 2:45 PM PST