Newport Pro Surfer Facing Prison for Threatening Ex-Wife

A pro surfer from Newport Beach who was a fugitive for three years is facing up to seven years in prison for threatening and stalking his ex-wife, according to prosecutors in New Jersey's Hunterdon County.

Christopher Polovina, 34, pleaded guilty in Hunterdon County on Nov. 15 to one count of third-degree terroristic threats, a fourth-degree stalking charge and a disorderly persons contempt charge for violating a restraining order, Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III reported Monday.

Officials say the terroristic charges against Kearns stem from an incident in February 2009 when Polovina threatened to harm his ex-wife.

"Mr. Polovina failed to appear on that charge, and a bench warrant was issued in June 2009," the prosecutor said in a released statement. "He was subsequently arrested on that warrant at an airport in Florida in November and was returned to Hunterdon County."

The stalking charge is related to various acts that occurred between March and July of 2012.

He will return to court for sentencing Jan. 15. He faces three to five years in state prison for making the terroristic threats, six months on the contempt charge and 18 months for stalking the stalking.

Polovina remains out of jail on $20,000 bail.