Man Pleads Guilty to Stalking and Burglarizing Pop Singer Ariana Grande

The 25-Year-Old Suspect Targeted Singer’s Montecito and Hollywood Homes

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced Thursday that Aharon Zebulun Israel Brown, 25, pled guilty to various charges related to stalking pop singer Ariana Grande, a resident of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties.

Brown pled guilty to stalking Grande from February 1, 2021, to June 26, 2022, while she had an active restraining order; committing First Degree Residential Burglary at her Montecito residence on June 26, 2022; and making Criminal Threats against Grande on September 10, 2021, in Los Angeles County.

During the period from February 2021 to September 2021, the Brown broke into Grande’s Hollywood residence over 92 times. On September 10, 2021, he wielded a knife at Grande’s security team, threatening the lives of both the singer and two security officers. A Los Angeles County Judge granted a 5-year restraining order against Brown on October 5, 2021. Despite these measures, the defendant continued to pose a threat, according to District Attorney Savrnoch.

On June 26, 2022, Brown forcibly entered Grande’s Montecito home, disabling security systems with a screwdriver, and cutting wires to the alarm and telephone lines. Law enforcement promptly responded and apprehended the defendant after a K-9 found him hiding in a crawl space inside the home.

Further investigation revealed Brown’s extensive efforts to stalk Grande, including online searches related to her personal and professional life, attempts to determine her residence, and strategies to overcome her security measures. He possessed over 2,000 images or videos of Grande and sent threatening Instagram messages between May 26, 2022, and June 26, 2022, expressing intentions of harm.

District Attorney Savrnoch expressed gratitude to Grande and her security team for their courage and resilience. He also acknowledged Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Sergeant Tony Kouremetis for leading the investigation with exceptional skill in stalking and threat assessments. Furthermore, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Karapetian, who spearheaded the prosecution, exhibited outstanding leadership to ensure justice, said Savrnoch.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 3, 2024, in Department 2 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court, before the Honorable Pauline Maxwell. Brown is expected to be sentenced to three years, eight months in state prison and will be subject to a 10-year restraining order, preventing any contact with Grande.

If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, there are supportive resources available. The Victim Witness Assistance Program with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office can help. Please visit our website at https://da.countyofsb.org/da/vwdv or contact us at 805-568-2400.

The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County can assist with obtaining restraining orders. For further information, visit their website: https://lafsbc.org/ or contact them at one of their three locations: Santa Barbara: (805) 963-6754, Santa Maria: 805-922-9909, Lompoc: 805-736-6582.