Activist Sentenced in War Protest at Gallegly’s Office
A Ventura man pleaded no contest Monday to two misdemeanor counts stemming from an April 1 antiwar demonstration at the Thousand Oaks office of Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley).
Christopher Vestuto, 47, was ordered to serve three years’ probation and 10 days in the Ventura County Jail’s work-release program for entering a private area of Gallegly’s office, interfering with business and urinating into a sink.
Vestuto also was ordered to stay 100 yards from Gallegly and his staff, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Scott Hendrickson.
Vestuto was one of about 30 people who protested the U.S. invasion of Iraq at Gallegly’s office. Three people were arrested, but only Vestuto and Lucille Duffy were charged.
Duffy’s case is set to go to trial Aug. 26, Hendrickson said.
Vestuto’s attorney, William Makler, said his client was prepared to deal with the consequences of his actions, which he described as “a classic case of civil disobedience.”
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