Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith’s office announced Tuesday the arrest of a Gilroy man who had repeatedly threatened County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody.
Deputies arrested Alan Viarengo on Thursday at his residence. During a search of Viarengo’s home, Deputies discovered 138 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and explosive materials.
Viarengo’s letters also contained references to the Boogaloo Movement, a far-right wing extremist group. Boogaloo-aligned suspects are also accused of killing federal officer David Patrick Underwood in Oakland in late May.
A disturbing pattern of behavior
After Dr. Cody received a number of threatening letters, emails, and calls, Deputies assigned 24-hour security earlier this year.
Through that detail, the Sheriff’s office was able to identify a fingerprint from Viarengo on a letter addressed to Cody. Additional letters, similar in tone and with another identifiable fingerprint led detectives to this suspect.
Viarengo is also suspected of having sent a letter to the widow of Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller. Gutzwiller was killed in the line of duty in early June. The letter to Gutzwiller’s wife apparently also contained Viarengo’s fingerprints.
Detectives saw Viarengo mail letters at a Post Office in Watsonville and were able to intercept it before processing.
In total, Sheriff’s Office detectives believe Viarengo sent as many as 24 letters to Cody with threatening language.
An ongoing investigation
The District Attorney’s office issued Viarengo’s warrant on charges of felony stalking and threatening a public official.
Sheriff’s Deputies continue to provide security to Dr. Cody and are monitoring for further threatening behavior. The investigation is ongoing and Deputies ask anyone with information to contact the department at (408) 808-4500. An anonymous tip line is available at (408) 808-4431.