NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - California, Southern), published as received.

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 11, 2025

SAN DIEGO – George Joseph Wellinger II pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting he intentionally targeted a member of the LGBTQ community and threatened her with violence via email. 

According to his plea agreement, the defendant admitted that he intentionally selected this victim as the object of his threat based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, and because of the defendant’s animus toward members of the LGBTQ community.

According to court documents, the victim was targeted after being interviewed for a KTLA news report about a hate-inspired murder in Lake Arrowhead in August 2023.

According to the plea agreement, the threatening email called the victim “another alphabet clown that wants to take a dirt nap, too,” and included a link to the KTLA news report which featured the victim and others discussing the murder of a Lake Arrowhead business owner who had been gunned down for hanging a Pride flag in her business.

The email continued: “We know what you look like and know where are you are....only a matter of time....Love it....get ur ghey on sister....scissor it up....we coming for ur rainbow azz. Click Click!!!

On August 18, 2023, Laura Ann Carleton, a known ally to the LGBTQ+ community, was murdered for hanging a pride flag outside her store. Carleton was shot by Travis Ikeguchi, who fled the scene and was later shot and killed by law enforcement. On August 30, 2023, KTLA, a local Los Angeles news station, wrote an article about Carleton’s death.

Wellinger pleaded guilty to Interstate Threatening Communication with a special finding that he targeted his victim because of her sexual orientation.

Wellinger is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez.

If you or anyone you know believes you have been the victim of a hate crime, please contact the FBI at www.tips.fbi.gov. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacqueline M. Jimenez and Alicia Williams are prosecuting this case.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number: 24-CR-1591                                      

George Joseph Wellinger II                            Age: 49                                   San Diego, CA

CHARGE

Transmitting a Threatening Communication - Title 18 U.S.C., § 875(c)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation

For more information and resources about the department’s work to combat hate crimes, visit https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.