The man who allegedly crashed his vehicle through the front gate of “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston’s Los Angeles home has been charged with felony stalking and vandalism, prosecutors said.
Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, a 48-year-old from New Albany, Mississippi, also faces an aggravating circumstance of the threat of great bodily harm, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
Carwyle allegedly crashed his vehicle through the gate of a residence in the wealthy Bel Air neighborhood on Monday shortly after midday.
After crashing through the front gate, Carwyle stopped in the driveway, authorities alleged. The suspected intruder was soon apprehended by a private security guard who held him until police arrived and arrested him.
Police told reporters that Anniston was in the home at the time of the crash. It is unclear whether and how Carwyle knew that the actress was present at the address.
No injuries have been reported, though the crash caused “substantial damage,” according to prosecutors.
A judge on Thursday ordered that Carwyle must go through mental-health court to determine whether he is competent to face the charges.
Carwyle appeared shirtless and wrapped in a blanket when he appeared behind glass in a custody area of a Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday. Carwyle did not speak during the proceedings; his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Judge Keith L. Schwartz doubted whether Carwyle would understand him when a prosecutor requested that the defendant, who will remain in jail, be ordered not to get near Aniston.
Carwyle’s lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Toral Malik, said, “I don’t believe him staying away from Ms. Aniston will be an issue at this time.”
At a prosecutor’s insistence, Schwartz issued the order anyway.
“You are not to have any contact with Jennifer Aniston under any conditions,” the judge said.
The incident is the culmination of repeated acts of harassment towards Aniston, who was referred to by the district attorney only as Jennifer A.
Carwyle has been sending the actress unwanted voicemail, email, and social media messages since 2023, prosecutors alleged.
“My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorize others, ensuring they are held accountable,” he added.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sam Hulefeld of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Stalking and Threat Assessment Team.
Carwyle could get up to three years in prison if he is convicted of all charges.
It was not immediately clear if he has retained an attorney.
Aniston became one of the biggest stars in television with the role of Rachel in the hit series “Friends” on NBC, which aired from 1994 to 2004. She won an Emmy Award for best lead actress in a comedy for the part, and she has been nominated for nine more throughout her career.
Aniston currently stars in “The Morning Show” on Apple TV+, alongside Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup.
