According to TMZ, Mel B claims estranged husband Stephen Belafonte was a monster, brutally beating her, extorting her into doing 3-ways with other women and threatening to release sex tapes ... and now she says she and her children fear for their lives.
Mel B's lawyers got a restraining order Monday, forcing Belafonte to stay away from Mel and her 3 kids and ordering him to leave the family home.
In her declaration, Mel B tells a horrific story of abuse. Details are here.
TMZ broke the story ... agents from the Dept. of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms served a search warrant on Belafonte Friday night after his brother made claims Stephen had the gun. Mel claims Stephen kept the gun in a lockbox in the bedroom closet. She says ATF agents did not find the gun.