San Diego Man Accused Of Sending Threatening Email To LGBTQ Victim

SAN DIEGO, CA — A San Diego man accused of sending a threatening email to a member of the LGBTQ community is facing a federal charge, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

George Joseph Wellinger II, 48, was charged Tuesday with transmitting a threatening communication, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He is accused of sending a threatening email to a woman after she appeared in a TV news report about a 2023 hate-crime murder in Lake Arrowhead.

According to the indictment, Wellinger called the victim "another alphabet clown that wants to take a dirt nap, too," and included a link to the news report about a business owner who was gunned down for hanging a Pride flag outside her shop.

He is also accused of writing, "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!!!!"

"Hate crimes are designed terrify both the victim and the community," U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a statement. "The U. S. Attorney's Office works tirelessly on prosecuting these cases to send our own message: San Diego is no place for hate."

Wellinger made his initial appearance in federal court Tuesday. His bond was set at $50,000 and a judge ordered home detention with electronic monitoring.

"Today's indictment serves as a reminder there is no room for hate in our community," said Stacey Moy, special agent in charge for the FBI San Diego Field Office. "Hate crimes remain one of the top FBI priorities and we will continue to protect and safeguard our communities."