Charges Against Sabrina Carpenter’s Alleged Stalker Dismissed After He Is Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

Criminal charges against a man accused of stalking Sabrina Carpenter and repeatedly showing up at her Los Angeles home have been dismissed after a judge found him mentally incompetent to stand trial. William Applegate, 31, remains subject to a separate five-year restraining order requiring him to stay away from the singer.

Applegate appeared in a Hollywood courtroom Tuesday for a mental competency hearing, where the judge dismissed the misdemeanor case over the objections of city prosecutors, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. He had faced eight misdemeanor counts, including stalking, trespassing, disorderly conduct, attempting to enter a non-commercial dwelling and battery.

California law prohibits a criminal case from proceeding while a defendant is mentally incompetent. The standard applies when a mental health disorder or developmental disability leaves a person unable to understand the criminal proceedings or rationally assist counsel in a defense.

Because he faced only misdemeanor charges, the case fell under California's separate competency process for misdemeanor defendants. That process can include mental health diversion, treatment-related programs, and dismissal under specified circumstances. The competency finding addressed Applegate's present ability to participate in the criminal proceedings.

The allegations against Applegate emerged publicly in May, when Carpenter sought court protection and described him as a stranger who had repeatedly appeared at her Los Angeles home since late April. Court papers said he was captured multiple times on her doorbell camera before his alleged behavior escalated on May 23.

Carpenter alleged that Applegate entered a neighboring property in an effort to get around security fencing, approached her front door, and attempted to force his way inside. Security confronted him, but he allegedly refused to leave and insisted that he knew Carpenter and that she was expecting him.

Police arrested Applegate that night. He was cited and released the next morning, then allegedly returned to Carpenter's home later that day and again the following day. Carpenter said in a sworn declaration that the repeated appearances left her fearing for her safety and the safety of others living in the home.

Applegate opposed Carpenter's request for protection and claimed in court filings that he and the singer were part of a classified military-government program. He also claimed they had met when Carpenter performed in London in July 2025.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Wasserman granted Carpenter a five-year restraining order on June 17 after previously issuing temporary protection. The order prohibits Applegate from contacting Carpenter and requires him to remain at least 100 yards from her home, vehicle, and workplaces. Carpenter's sister, Sarah Carpenter, and her partner, George Smith, are also protected through June 17, 2031.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed the eight misdemeanor counts on June 18. One stalking count alleged conduct from Aug. 23, 2025, while the remaining charges stemmed from the alleged May 23, 2026 encounter.