Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a five-year restraining order against a man who repeatedly tried to reach her Los Angeles home.
Los Angeles Judge David L. Wasserman issued the order Wednesday against William Applegate, 31.
The Associated Press reported that Applegate must stay at least 100 yards away from Carpenter, her sister and her sister’s partner, and is barred from contacting Carpenter or possessing firearms.
Carpenter said in her petition that Applegate was a “complete stranger” she had never met or communicated with. Her attorney, Blair Berk, told the judge that Carpenter feared for her safety and for the safety of her family.
Carpenter Said He Reached Her Front Door
According to AP, Carpenter said Applegate tried to get to her home more than a dozen times. In one incident last month, she said he reached her front door after entering through a neighboring property and hitting a security guard.
Applegate was arrested after that incident, then returned in the following days, according to the report. A temporary restraining order was issued on May 29 before Wednesday’s five-year order.
CBS Los Angeles, citing court documents, reported that the order also protects Carpenter’s sister, Sarah Carpenter, and Sarah’s partner, George Smith, who live with the singer in her Hollywood Hills home.
Applegate Represented Himself in Court
Applegate represented himself at the hearing and admitted he had gone to the property. He claimed that he and Carpenter were connected through a classified military program and needed to be together for national and global security, according to AP.
He also said he believed Carpenter wanted him there. AP reported that Applegate claimed in a court filing that Carpenter had looked at him during her Coachella performance in April and was trying to communicate with him.
Judge Wasserman addressed Applegate directly, telling him that he expected him to follow the restraining order rather than what Applegate believed the military wanted. Carpenter had been ready to testify remotely, but she was not called to do so.
The Case Is Still Under Criminal Investigation
AP reported that Applegate remains under criminal investigation, though court records did not show criminal charges as of the latest report. The five-year order came through civil court and requires him to stay away from Carpenter, avoid contact and give up any firearms.
The order arrives during Carpenter’s biggest career stretch so far. AP noted that her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet won a Grammy and included the hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.”
Carpenter has not publicly commented on the order beyond the court petition. Applegate has been ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from her, her home, her workplace and her vehicle.