Cops: Gibson Stalker At It Again

Authorities say a 34-year-old drifter barred from contact with actor-director Mel Gibson has been arrested after violating a restraining order, prompting prosecutors to file a new felony count of stalking.

Zack Sinclair, initially arrested last month for stalking Gibson, was arrested again Thursday one day after a judge ordered him to stay away from the actor and his family, sheriff's Deputy Scott Gage said.

Gage did not have details of the circumstances of Sinclair's arrest last week. A phone call to a publicist for Gibson was not immediately returned.

Sinclair previously pleaded not guilty to six misdemeanor counts that include trespassing and disorderly conduct following his Sept. 20 arrest.

On Tuesday, a judge dismissed the misdemeanor counts and Sinclair pleaded not guilty to a new felony count of stalking filed by prosecutors, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

Sinclair was held on $500,000 bail and a hearing in the case was scheduled for Oct. 29, Robison said.

Sinclair allegedly went to the gate of Gibson's Malibu estate repeatedly in September after evading neighborhood security and asked to pray with the actor. He was first ordered away and then detained.

In a court filing, Gibson said the man also interrupted his worship on Sept. 19 at an Agoura chapel and "demanded that I pray with him" before the filmmaker's bodyguard escorted him out.

Sinclair also allegedly sent letters to Gibson and his family in which he recounted his prayers for the actor, cited biblical verse and praised Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ."

The restraining order against Sinclair bars him from coming within 100 yards of Gibson, his wife or their seven children, their home, Gibson's work, and the chapel. He also cannot contact the actor.