A Los Angeles judge imposed broad restrictions on a man accused of repeatedly trying to reach the singer at her home.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A judge on Wednesday granted pop star Sabrina Carpenter a five-year restraining order against a man accused of attempting to enter her Los Angeles home more than a dozen times, including an incident that led to his arrest after a confrontation with a security guard.
The ruling follows weeks of legal proceedings involving 31-year-old William Applegate, who appeared in court and disputed the need for the order while maintaining claims that he and Carpenter shared a special connection. The order requires him to stay away from the singer and members of her household, bars any form of communication, and prohibits firearm possession. The case has drawn attention because of the repeated nature of the alleged encounters and the ongoing criminal investigation tied to them.
According to court filings and testimony discussed during the hearing, the conflict escalated in May after Applegate repeatedly appeared at Carpenter’s residence. Carpenter alleged that he attempted to reach her property more than a dozen times. In one incident, she said, he entered through a neighboring property, struck a security guard and reached the front door before being arrested. After that encounter, authorities said he returned to the area in the following days. A temporary restraining order was issued on May 29 while the court considered whether longer-term protections were warranted. Carpenter was prepared to testify remotely during the hearing but ultimately was not called to take the stand. The hearing instead focused on statements contained in legal filings, prior incidents and Applegate’s own explanations for his actions.
Applegate represented himself in court and acknowledged appearing at Carpenter’s home. He argued that the singer wanted him there and claimed that outside forces, including law enforcement and members of her team, were preventing contact between them. During the proceedings, he described what he said was a classified military program and asserted that he and Carpenter needed to be together for reasons tied to national and global security. Carpenter’s attorney, Blair Berk, told the court that the singer feared for her safety and the safety of family members living with her. Berk also referenced social media activity allegedly connected to Applegate as part of the request for long-term protection. In a filing opposing the order, Applegate wrote that he believed Carpenter had communicated with him during a performance at the Coachella music festival in April. Carpenter, however, described him in court documents as a stranger she had never met, communicated with or wished to contact.
The case highlights a recurring challenge faced by public figures who encounter persistent and sometimes obsessive behavior from individuals they do not know. Courts often weigh evidence of repeated contact attempts, threats, physical confrontations and violations of personal boundaries when determining whether long-term restraining orders are appropriate. In Carpenter’s case, the allegations centered on repeated appearances at a private residence rather than interactions through official events or public venues. The singer, 27, rose to prominence through acting roles before becoming one of the most successful pop performers of the decade. Her commercial breakthrough accelerated with the release of “Emails I Can’t Send” in 2022, followed by the Grammy-winning success of “Short n’ Sweet” and chart-topping singles including “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Her increased visibility has made security concerns a growing part of her public life, as is often the case for high-profile entertainers.
Judge David L. Wasserman granted the request for a five-year restraining order after questioning Applegate and reviewing the evidence presented. The order requires him to remain at least 100 yards away from Carpenter, her sister and her sister’s partner, who reside with her. It also bars him from attempting direct or indirect communication and prevents him from possessing firearms. During the hearing, Wasserman acknowledged Applegate’s beliefs while emphasizing that compliance with the court’s directives was mandatory. The judge told him that regardless of what he believed, he was expected to obey the order. No criminal charges had been filed as of the hearing, according to court records, but investigators continue to review the incidents. Any future charging decision would be handled separately from the restraining-order case and could involve additional court appearances.
The courtroom remained orderly throughout the proceedings. Applegate appeared without legal counsel, wearing a suit and working from a laptop while addressing the judge. Observers noted that he spoke calmly even as he described extraordinary claims about his connection to Carpenter. Berk’s presentation focused on the effect the repeated visits had on the singer and her family. The hearing concluded without Carpenter needing to testify, sparing her from direct participation in the final arguments. The judge thanked those involved for maintaining decorum during the proceedings before issuing his decision. For Carpenter and those living with her, the order provides long-term legal protection intended to prevent future contact. For investigators, the matter remains active as authorities continue examining the incidents that led to the court action.
The restraining order takes effect immediately and will remain in place for five years unless modified by a court. The criminal investigation remains ongoing, and any decision on possible charges is expected to come through separate legal proceedings at a later date.