Sabrina Carpenter Granted Five-Year Restraining Order Against Alleged Stalker Following Disturbing Court Hearing
A Los Angeles judge has granted Sabrina Carpenter a five-year restraining order against a man accused of repeatedly targeting the singer and attempting to enter her home, following a hearing in which the man claimed he was part of a secret government mission involving Carpenter and the “second coming of Christ.”
The order was issued on Wednesday by Los Angeles County Judge David I. Wasserman after William Applegate testified in court about what he described as a classified military program that allegedly connected him to the pop star. Speaking before the court, Applegate claimed he had been recruited into the operation at a Los Angeles hotel and insisted that contacting Carpenter was essential to fulfilling his mission. He repeatedly suggested that the two needed to be together to “save the world,” telling the court that Carpenter was central to a larger plan and that he played a key role in its success.
Carpenter attended the hearing remotely through a video connection but did not testify. Her attorney, Blair Berk, argued that Applegate’s statements, combined with his alleged actions in recent months, demonstrated a pattern of escalating behavior that posed a serious threat to the singer’s safety. According to court filings, Applegate traveled to Carpenter’s private residences on numerous occasions and repeatedly attempted to make contact despite having no personal relationship with her.
Berk pointed to an incident on May 23 that became a major factor in Carpenter’s request for court protection. According to the filing, Applegate entered a neighboring property, climbed over a fence, and attempted to access the front door of Carpenter’s home while she was inside. The incident led Carpenter to seek an emergency temporary restraining order, which was granted before Wednesday’s hearing. Her legal team argued that the alleged trespassing incident represented a significant escalation in behavior and left the singer fearing for her safety.
Following testimony and arguments from both sides, Judge Wasserman issued a restraining order that will remain in effect until June 17, 2031. Under the terms of the order, Applegate must stay at least 100 yards away from Carpenter at all times and is prohibited from approaching her homes, vehicles, workplaces, or any other protected locations. He is also barred from contacting her directly or indirectly and may not possess firearms or ammunition while the order remains in place.
Before concluding the hearing, the judge addressed Applegate directly, acknowledging that he appeared to genuinely believe his claims. However, Wasserman stressed that personal beliefs did not supersede the authority of the court and made clear that compliance with the restraining order was mandatory. Applegate responded that he understood the court’s instructions.
In a declaration filed in support of her petition, Carpenter stated that she had never met Applegate and had never invited him to her home. She described the alleged attempt to enter her residence as one of the most alarming experiences she has faced and said the repeated incidents had left her living in fear.
“His pattern of stalking, trespassing, and surveillance has caused me severe and ongoing emotional distress,” Carpenter wrote in the filing. She added that she feared what Applegate might do if he were not restrained by the court.
Law enforcement officials involved in the case also expressed concern about the alleged behavior. In a declaration submitted to the court, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Peter Doomanis wrote that Applegate appeared to have developed what he described as an irrational fixation on the singer. The detective said the reported conduct reflected patterns commonly associated with obsessional stalking behavior and warned that such situations can become increasingly dangerous over time if left unchecked.
Applegate was arrested at Carpenter’s residence in May after allegedly refusing to leave the property. He is scheduled to appear in criminal court in connection with that incident. While the criminal case remains pending, Wednesday’s ruling ensures that Carpenter will remain under court-ordered protection for the next five years as legal proceedings continue.
