A Derby man who suffers from mental health problems allegedly made a threat to Rose McGowan involving the actress meeting his “Smith & Wesson,” according to a prosecutor.
Louis Santo, 36, was arrested Friday morning for allegedly cyber-stalking McGowan, best known for her role on the television show “Charmed.”
He was arraigned in Superior Court at 12:30 p.m.
The Valley Indy first reported last week police served two temporary restraining orders on Santo on behalf of the L.A.P.D’s Threat Management Unit.
Those orders were filed to protect McGowan and her associates, who said Santo had been making increasingly violent threats toward McGowan via texts, phone calls and Twitter.
Derby police then served a search and seizure warrant — and an arrest warrant — at Santo’s Hawkins Street residence Friday. The warrants were not available in Superior Court Friday afternoon — and police would not say what they may have confiscated from Santo’s place.
“The search was aimed at uncovering evidence relative to the threats and harassment,” police spokesman Lt. Salvatore Frosceno said in a prepared statement.
However, during his arraignment, prosecutor John Kerwin indicated that Santo may have continued his threats against the actress.
Santo appeared in court wearing pajama pants and a brown pull over fleece. Police raided his residence at about 7:15 a.m.
He didn’t speak in court as his public defender, Bruce Weiant, attempted to convince Judge Burton Kaplan to reduce Santo’s $50,000 bond.
Weiant argued that there was no evidence that Santo intended to carry through on the alleged threats he made against McGowan or her associates. In addition, Santo does not own weapons and doesn’t have the financial means to even leave Connecticut, Weiant said.
The prosecutor argued that Santo’s threats have been getting more delusional — and that he allegedly made a threat mentioning a Smith & Wesson gun.
Judge Kaplan set his bond at $35,000. Santo, who entered a pro forma not guilty plea, is due back in court March 14.
Santo is charged with two counts of second-degree threatening, two counts of second-degree harassment and two counts of breach of peace. He also has two other similar cases pending in Superior Court. Those cases do not involve the actress.
Click here to read our previous article.
Last week Santo told the Valley Indy last week that he dated McGowan in college and that she was trying to steal a screenplay from him.
California court docs filed by the lawyer representing the actress point out she’s never met him.
McGowan’s lawyer alleges this is Santo’s Twitter page.
The most recent Tweet reads: “It wasn’t Louis that sent those messages now he’s no longer here good job a — holes.”
