An Apopka man accused of threatening to kill former Mayor Bryan Nelson has been found competent to proceed in his criminal case, according to Orange County court records. 

Hector Raul Cartagena, 64, was found competent following a July 30 competency status hearing at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando. 

A July 31 docket entry states that the court conducted an independent review and found Cartagena competent to proceed. The court reviewed reports by Dr. Arias dated June 12 and June 17, and all parties stipulated to the court using the reports in making its findings, according to the docket. 

Court minutes also state that an order adjudging Cartagena competent was signed and filed in open court. 

Assistant State Attorney Cody Park confirmed the outcome in a July 31 email obtained by The Apopka Chief.  

“Defendant was found competent to proceed and this case was set back on the PTC docket for 9/2,” Park wrote. 

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Sept. 2, according to court records. The trial is scheduled for Oct. 19. 

The competency finding follows several months of proceedings concerning Cartagena’s ability to proceed with the criminal case. In May, a victim advocate with the State Attorney’s Office said an initial evaluation had found Cartagena incompetent and that a second evaluation had been requested. Another competency status hearing was held June 25 before the July hearing. 

Cartagena was arrested Feb. 11 after investigators alleged he made threats on social media to kill Nelson, who was Apopka mayor at the time. 

Court and jail records show Cartagena faces multiple felony charges, including written or electronic threats to kill or do bodily harm, aggravated stalking with a credible threat, intimidation or threats against an elected official, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.