A 27-year-old Foster City man is being charged with misdemeanor filing of a false police report for a “swatting” attempt on a retired San Mateo County judicial officer who he told police “ambushed” him with rulings in previous court hearings, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Alexander Gounaropoulos pleaded not guilty to his charges when he appeared in court Thursday and remains out of custody on his own recognizance, according to prosecutors.
On Nov. 16, he is believed to have called 911 and told the operator his grandmother saw several masked men armed with guns forcibly entering the former judicial officer’s home. He allegedly refused to identify himself or say where he was, and police confirmed with the victim’s husband nothing happened, according to prosecutors.
The phone number used to make the 911 call was connected to Gounaropoulos, who had previously been a party in court hearings over which the victim presided. He allegedly told police who conducted a traffic stop on him that he was “ambushed” by the officer’s rulings, according to prosecutors.
Previously convicted of felony reckless evading of an officer and felony drunk driving, Gounaropoulos is facing five other misdemeanor charges for separate incidents, which include petty theft, violation of a court order and domestic violence, according to prosecutors.
Gounaropoulos’ trial was set for April 29 and he will next appear in court March 28 for pretrial conference, according to prosecutors.
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(1) comment
California’s status as a red flag state qualifies to ensure this troubled young man does not possess a gun
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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