Some of you may remember back a few years ago when Stuart Lynn Dunn was charged with stalking the actress Mila Kunis. Dunn was convicted of stalking Kunis and sentenced to a 6-month stint in rehabilitation and 5-years of probation. He was also ordered to stay away from the actress for the next 10-years.
Last Saturday, Dunn escaped from the institution where he had spent the last 2-years. Once police were notified that Dunn had escaped, they were able to quickly begin tracking him down by using their list of his known acquaintances. Using that information, Dunn was recaptured in Santa Monica near the beach. Luckily, nobody was hurt after Dunn escaped and the police were able to track him down quickly. During the period in 2013 when he was stalking Kunis, Dunn was considered dangerous.
Stalking is covered under California Penal Code 646.9 PC and can be summed up as repeatedly following, harassing or threatening an individual to the point where he or she fears for their safety. Stalking is a wobbler, which means it can be tried as either a misdemeanor or a felony, and the penalties for those who are convicted are notably stiff.
Those convicted of misdemeanor stalking will face penalties that include informal probation, up to 1-year in county jail, u to $1,000 in fines, counseling and a restraining order. Any or all of the preceding penalties may be applied at the judge’s discretion.
Those who are charged with felony-level stalking face a much stiffer list of penalties, including formal probation, 16-months to 5-years in state prison, a maximum fine of $1,000, possible treatment at a mental health facility, restraining order and registration as a sex offender. Like misdemeanor-level charges, any or all of the preceding penalties can be applied.
