| For Immediate Release Case #11CF0746 May 25, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR THREATENING VIOLENCE AGAINST VILLA PARK CITY COUNCILWOMAN IN WRITING OVER FACEBOOK
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted and sentenced today for threatening violence against a Villa Park City Councilwoman by sending her a message on Facebook. Paul Dean Andrews, 28, San Pedro, pleaded guilty to the court to one felony count of threatening a public official. He was sentenced to 97 days in jail, three years of formal probation, and is barred from having any contact with the victim.
On Feb. 13, 2011, Villa Park City Councilwoman D. Pauly was among many protesters who gathered outside a benefit for Islamic Circle of North American Relief USA, being held at a Yorba Linda community center. Other public officials including Congressmen Ed Royce (R-CA40) and Gary Miller (R-CA42) also spoke and attended the rally. The protest was covered by the media and the public officials’’ comments were posted on various websites including YouTube and REDDIT.
Pauly is serving her second term as Villa Park City Councilwoman. She was last elected in November 2010. She is also an elected Republican Member of the County Central Committee of the 60th Assembly District. She was last elected to that position in June 2010.
On March 3, 2011, Andrews became angry at Pauly over comments she had made at the February 2011 protest. The defendant threatened Pauly by sending her a message on Facebook, including threatening violence against her with weapons. He made the threats using his personal Facebook account with his picture.
The victim, fearing for her safety, reported the threat to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), who investigated this case. Andrews was arrested March 21, 2011, by OCSD.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri of the Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted this case.
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