Man Held in Threats to Stephanie Zimbalist
A Michigan man has been arrested at a Sherman Oaks hotel after sending more than 200 threatening letters to actress Stephanie Zimbalist, daughter of Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and star of the television series Remington Steele, the FBI said Monday.
Arrested for investigation of mailing threatening communications was Michael Lawrence Shields, 43, of Plymouth, Mich. Sending such materials through the mail is a violation of federal extortion statutes punishable by up to five years in prison and a $1,000 fine, said special agent Lawrence G. Lawler.
Shields was arrested about 6 p.m. Friday at the Valley Hilton Hotel in Sherman Oaks, where he was a registered guest. The FBI learned of his whereabouts, according to Lawler, after Shields revealed it in a letter to Zimbalist.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
