Sofia Vergara granted five-year restraining order against alleged stalker
Actress Sofia Vergara has been granted a five-year restraining order against a man who claims he has a “romantic and familial relationship with her and her son”.
Vergara, best known for Modern Family, filed for the order for herself and son Manolo last month, after alleging Gregory Aaron Brown, 34, repeatedly trespassed near her home in Los Angeles.
Brown has also been convicted of vandalism in connection to Vergara’s property in 2021, and was handed a 32-month jail sentence.
On Wednesday, Judge Christine J Gonong granted the request from Vergara’s lawyer for the maximum order of five years.
In previous court documents, it was said in July 2023, after Brown was released from prison on parole, he walked through the hills to bypass security near her home and shouted Vergara “is mine” when confronted.
Documents also said Brown has sent her a “disturbing letter” in November, which set out his intent to find and be with her.
Brown was in custody for breaching his parole, the court heard.
“He has engaged in stalking and harassment directed at me, which is seriously alarming, annoying and harassing me,” Vergara, who was not present in court, said in previous court documents.
“Brown’s ongoing, aggressive and harassing conduct and messages are extremely distressing and are causing me constant anxiety and emotional distress.”
The actress said she was fearing for her personal safety and that of those around her, describing the alleged behaviour as “extremely frightening”.
Brown was described as a “mentally unstable stalker” with a “long-time fixation” on the 51-year-old.
“He delusionally believes he personally knows her, and has a romantic and familial relationship with her and her son, which he does not,” the documents said.
“At times, Brown has stated (Vergara) ‘belongs’ to him.
“Brown is engaged in compulsive stalking of (Vergara), and poses credible threat of violence and imminent danger to her.”
It had been said previously Vergara does not know who Brown is, and claims he has a “fixation on and obsession” with her.