A felony charge has been filed against a Cloverdale man accused of shouting homophobic slurs at members of the Sonoma County Pride Bowling League during their Oct. 14 league night in Rohnert Park.
The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office charged Vincent Charles Belfiore, 64, with violating another person’s civil rights, according to court records. Belfiore, a registered sex offender, also faces a misdemeanor battery charge.
Related Articles
Man held in death of 8-year-old Sophia Mason released from jail after plea deal
Jury deliberates fate of Berkeley activist accused of raiding Petaluma poultry plant, taking 4 chickens
San Mateo County sheriff’s vacancy to be filled by appointment
Two arrested, charged in Berkeley shooting
Federal wire fraud, false statements charges filed against San Leandro Councilman Bryan Azevedo
He appeared in Sonoma County Superior Court on Tuesday before Judge Mark Urioste and was ordered to return Nov. 18 to enter a plea. Belfiore remains free after posting bail shortly following his arrest.
Police said Belfiore confronted league members around 9:30 p.m. at Double Decker Lanes on Golf Course Drive. Among them was league president Christopher Mahurin, a lieutenant with the Santa Rosa Police Department, who said Belfiore directed numerous slurs at him before being asked to leave.
Other members joined in urging him to go, and Belfiore allegedly punched one in the chest before driving away, police said. Officers with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety arrested him a short time later on Golf Course Drive.
According to California’s Megan’s Law database of registered sex offenders, Belfiore was convicted of sexual battery in 1983. Sonoma County court records show additional felony and misdemeanor cases dating to 1992, including a 2014 drug-related conviction. He is represented by the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office.
