San Diego Man Sentenced for Sending Hate-Filled Email with Death Threat

SAN DIEGO - George Joseph Wellinger II was sentenced in federal court today to six months in custody and four months of home confinement for intentionally threatening a member of the LGBTQ community with violence via email.

Wellinger admitted in his plea agreement that he intentionally selected this victim 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!!!"

"This was a particularly cruel act. No one should have to live in fear," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. "The U. S. Attorney's Office is committed to protecting the civil rights of everyone in our community."

"Today's sentence serves as a stark reminder there is no place for hate crimes in San Diego or anywhere," said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. "The FBI's commitment to investigate hate crimes underscores the seriousness of these offenses. It is not just about enforcing the law but protecting our community and ensuring the rights of individuals to live free of fear."

If you or anyone you know believes you have been the victim of a hate crime, please contact the FBI at https://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.