Sabrina Carpenter has turned to the courts after a man she says repeatedly appeared outside her Los Angeles home, asking a judge for a temporary restraining order following an alleged May 23 trespass that she says was caught on her doorbell camera. Court papers identify the man as 31-year-old William Applegate and allege that he breached security fencing and tried to open Carpenter’s front door before private security and police stepped in. The filing says Applegate came back to the property multiple times in the days that followed, leaving Carpenter fearful for her safety.
Doorbell Footage and an Arrest
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, Carpenter first learned about Applegate on May 23, when he allegedly got past the property’s security fencing and walked up to her front door, with Ring camera images cited in the legal paperwork. ABC7 reports that he tried the door handle before security confronted him, and that Los Angeles police arrested him on suspicion of criminal trespass. The outlet also notes that Carpenter’s security team later linked other uninvited visits from Applegate back to April 20.
What the Filing Says About the Intruder
TMZ reports that it obtained the court documents and photos from Carpenter’s Ring camera, and that she described Applegate’s behavior as “deliberate, calculated and aggressive.” She also stated that “William Applegate is a complete stranger to me.” TMZ adds that he allegedly returned to the house less than 24 hours after his arrest and at one point stayed in the driveway for about two hours, with another visit on May 25 that again drew a police response. According to the outlet, the judge has already granted Carpenter a temporary restraining order while the case moves toward a full hearing.
How a Civil Restraining Order Works
Guidance from the Judicial Council of California explains that a temporary civil harassment restraining order typically stays in place only until a court hearing, where a judge decides whether to issue longer-term protection. Any order granted at that hearing can last for up to five years. The state materials also note that the person being restrained must be personally served with the paperwork and that violating an order can result in arrest. In Carpenter’s case, that means her current protections will be reviewed by a judge, who can choose to extend them if the evidence supports a more permanent order.
Court Date and What Comes Next
Per ABC7 Los Angeles, Applegate is scheduled to appear in court on June 18. The filing, according to ABC7, includes a statement from an LAPD detective who described him as mentally unstable and a “clear, credible and ongoing threat.” TMZ reports that Carpenter has also asked the court to extend protections to cover family members who live at or visit the home. At the hearing, the judge will decide whether to maintain, modify, or expand the temporary order, and if any final restraining order is violated, law enforcement can respond with arrests and potential criminal consequences.
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