Judge denies investigator's injunction against George Zimmerman in cyberstalking case

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge denied a private investigator's request for an injunction against George Zimmerman, the central Florida man whose acquittal in the deadly shooting of an unarmed black teenager made national headlines.

Longwood private investigator Dennis Warren claims Zimmerman sent him threatening messages in the form of 55 phone calls, 67 text messages, 36 voicemails and 27 emails.

Warren asked a judge for a permanent injunction against Zimmerman, which she denied at a hearing Monday.

The case is running alongside a criminal case involving a misdemeanor stalking charge that was filed by the State Attorney's Office last week.

Warren worked for movie producer Mike Gasparro, who is making a documentary about Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old Sanford teen Zimmerman killed in 2012.

According to a report, Warren contacted Zimmerman about the film in September 2017. The investigator left a voicemail with the contact information for Gasparro.

Zimmerman allegedly told Gasparro, "Help Dennis out and give him a heads up. I'm going to find him. And I'm bringing hell with me." He allegedly texted Gasparro and said, "Dennis is a (expletive) who bothered my uncle in his home. Local or former law officer, he's well on his way to the inside of a gator as well. 10-4?"

On Dec. 16, Warren said he also began receiving threats from Zimmerman. He received 21 calls, 38 texts and seven voicemails in a two-hour time span.

The responding deputy told Warren to make a call to Zimmerman and ask him to cease communication.

According to documents, Zimmerman told him, "No" and to go ahead and "pursue charges."

He also said, "Text me again. I'll show up at your house," the documents said.

According to the court documents, Zimmerman continued to send text messages, emails and phone calls.

Between Dec. 16 and Dec. 25, the victim received 55 phone calls, 67 text messages, 36 voicemails and 27 emails, deputies said.

Zimmerman also sent the victim a website link to a news article posted on the celebrity gossip site TheBlast.com, in which Zimmerman was quoted, saying, "I know how to handle people who (expletive) with me. I have since February 2012" and "Anyone who (expletive) with my parents will be fed to an alligator."

According to The Blast, Zimmerman said that he was being harassed by production crews working on the six-part documentary about Martin.

In March, Variety reported that rap star Jay-Z was a partner with The Weinstein Company on the project. The documentary, titled, "Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story," will look at Martin's life, the shooting by Zimmerman and the 2013 acquittal.

Channel 9's Jeff Levkulich was in court for the 1:30 p.m. hearing. Follow him on Twitter for updates and watch for more on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

Cox Media Group