Death threats may result in three years’ prison time

Lawyers for a Huntington Beach man accused of e-mailing death threats to Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach are expected to discuss plea deals in the judge’s chambers today, prosecutors said.

“I suspect that eventually this case will get resolved before trial,” said prosecutor Andre Manssourian.

Steven Van Arroyo, 50, was arrested after allegedly threatening Moorlach’s life and his family’s through e-mail in January, authorities said. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

This isn’t the first time Arroyo’s been accused of threatening someone. In 1999 he was sentenced to three years’ probation for criminal threats, court records show.

Arroyo pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of making criminal threats and threatening public officials Jan. 30. Arroyo is scheduled to be in court today for his pre-trial hearing.

There is still a chance Moorlach will have to testify against Arroyo at the preliminary hearing, but that is unlikely, Manssourian said.

— Joseph Serna