Eric Douglas Zentzis, 45 of Morro Bay was convicted of making criminal threats after he left some 50 threatening voicemails and text messages to his former girlfriend, causing her to fear for her life and safety. He awaits sentencing on Nov. 6 and faces up to 3-years in prison.
A Morro Bay man has been convicted of a felony for making repeated death threats against his ex-girlfriend, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
On Oct. 3, a jury found Morro Bay resident, Eric Douglas Zentzis, 45, guilty of felony criminal threats against the woman, who was not identified because she is the victim of a crime. The conviction counts as a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law, the D.A. said.
The prosecutors used his own words against him. According to the news release, from New Year’s Eve 2023 (Dec. 31) and Jan. 6, 2024, Zentzis “left over 50 voicemails and sent multiple text messages threatening the Victim causing her to fear for her life.”
According to the charging document released by the D.A., Zentzis’ threats were “unequivocal, unconditional, immediate and specific,” and caused the victim to fear for her life. The original charge, PC 422 (a) carries a sentence of 1-year in County Jail or State Prison, however, the D.A. sought additional time through a series of allegations of special circumstances that could play out at sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 6 before Judge Crystal Seiler. He faces a maximum of 3-years in prison.
The Morro Bay Police Department investigated the crime and Dep. D.A. James Statton was the prosecutor.
Zentzis’ conviction comes as the City Council was set to recognize October as “Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” and the City Council on Oct. 8 passed a Resolution recognizing the declaration.
According to the Council Resolution: “WHEREAS, Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that intimate partner violence is widespread and impacts every person in Morro Bay;” and “domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and can last a lifetime.”
The Resolution commends the work of “Lumina Alliance,” a non-profit organization that aids victims of domestic violence their children and families. See: luminaalliance.org for more information.
