LOS ANGELES (AP) – In a significant legal development, a Mississippi man identified as Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, 48, has been officially charged with felony stalking and vandalism after reportedly harassing the renowned actress Jennifer Aniston for two years. The charges follow a particularly alarming incident where Carwyle crashed his vehicle through the front gate of Aniston's Los Angeles home.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Carwyle also faces an aggravating circumstance due to the threat of great bodily harm associated with his actions. He has remained in custody since his arrest on Monday. Carwyle is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday, with bail set at $150,000. As of now, it is unclear whether he has secured legal representation.
The allegations against Carwyle include a prolonged period of harassment beginning in 2023, where he is accused of sending Aniston, referred to publicly as Jennifer A., unwanted messages through various channels, including voicemail, email, and social media. This disturbing behavior escalated on Monday afternoon when Carwyle drove his vehicle through the actress's front gate in the affluent neighborhood of Bel Air, resulting in significant property damage.
At the time of the incident, Aniston was at home, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries. A security guard was able to intercept Carwyle in her driveway, preventing further escalation until the police arrived and took him into custody. Aniston's representatives have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.
If convicted, Carwyle could face up to three years in prison. District Attorney Hochman emphasized his office's commitment to tackling stalking and harassment, stating, "My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorize others, ensuring they are held accountable." This comment underscores the seriousness with which authorities are approaching this case.
Jennifer Aniston, known for her iconic role in the longtime hit series “Friends,” has become a household name in the entertainment industry. She purchased her midcentury mansion in Bel Air, which sits on a sprawling 3.4-acre lot, for approximately $21 million in 2012. In addition to her acclaimed performance in "Friends," for which she won an Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy and garnered multiple nominations, Aniston currently stars in the series “The Morning Show” on Apple TV+.
This incident highlights the dangers public figures sometimes face regarding personal safety and privacy, especially in the wake of persistent harassment. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will proceed and what implications this will have for both Carwyle and Aniston moving forward.
