In a significant legal development, a San Francisco man was found guilty of six counts for flouting a domestic relations restraining order. Gary Arabatyan, 49, was convicted after a jury trial for repeated violations against orders put in place to protect his estranged wife and their children, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said.
From May 19 to June 6, 2023, Arabatyan breached the restraining order multiple times, including sending text messages to his estranged wife within just two hours of the order being served upon him, despite being explicitly barred from such contact save for during supervised visits as ordered by the Court, the testimony revealed.
Assistant District Attorney Ashley Lee, who led the prosecution, highlighted the verdict's impact, telling the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, "The jury’s verdict ensures that the Victim and her four children can move forward with their lives in peace." District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed her gratitude to the jury, emphasizing that her office takes noncompliance with restraining orders seriously and will use every available legal tool to protect vulnerable individuals.
Despite his convictions, Arabatyan is not currently in custody. Still, he could face up to one year in county jail for his actions, with sentencing slated for March 13, as the trial concluded the systemic failure of private agonies within the personal domestic sphere to remain sealed away from the public's judgment and the state's intervention.
For those in need of support with domestic violence issues, sources urge contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline or accessing resources provided by local support services such as WOMAN, Inc and La Casa De Las Madres. In cases of emergency, they emphasize the importance of calling 9-1-1 to receive immediate help.
