Judge calls for trial in criminal threats case

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A Santa Maria man is headed toward trial on charges that he made criminal threats against the lives of Santa Maria police officers and their families.

A judge ruled Friday that prosecutors presented enough evidence against defendant Albert Varelas during that day’s preliminary hearing that he be held to answer as charged in the first amended complaint filed against him, Senior Deputy District Attorney Catherine Martin told the News-Press.

“The matter was continued for arraignment on the information on 3/16” in Santa Maria, she said.

Mr. Varelas pleaded not guilty to felony charges of making criminal threats and stalking at his initial arraignment.

Defendants are arraigned twice in criminal cases, the first time after they are arrested and they plead not guilty or guilty to the charges filed against them in the District Attorney’s complaint. This happens before a preliminary hearing.

If after a preliminary hearing defendants are held to answer on the evidence presented against them, they get a second chance to plead not guilty or guilty to the charges in the complaint, now called “the information.” If they plead not guilty, a trial date is set. If they plead guilty, a sentencing date is set.

The complaint (now the information) filed against Mr. Varelas alleges that between Jan. 24 and Feb. 17, he threatened to commit a crime against police officers “which would result in death and great bodily injury,” and that the alleged crime was made “with the specific intent that the statement be taken as a threat.”

His alleged threat against the officers and their families “was so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate and specific as to convey to the victim a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution,” the complaint said.

“It is further alleged that the said victim was reasonably in sustained fear of his/her safety and the safety of his/her immediate family,” the complaint said.

The complaint alleges that Mr. Varelas backed up his threats in that he “willfully, maliciously and repeatedly” followed and harassed Santa Maria police officers.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

This year’s Old Spanish Days theme couldn’t be clearer.

“Let’s Fiesta!”

That theme was chosen by El Presidente David Bolton, who joined other Old Spanish Days leaders and city officials to announce the theme Monday morning on the steps of Santa Barbara City Hall. They were joined by local folkloric group Alma de Mexico.

In addition to the theme, officials announced plans for the Fiesta, which will feature everything from traditional parades to a replica of explorer Juan Cabrillo’s ship visiting Santa Barbara Harbor.

Fiesta will take place Aug.

2-6 in Santa Barbara. For more information about Old Spanish Days, visit www.sbfiesta.org.

Set for Aug. 2-6, the Fiesta is more than just a party, El Presidente Bolton stressed.

“It’s about family, friends, neighbors and colleagues,” he said. “Fiesta is so special and so unique to Santa Barbara. We come together every year as a community to celebrate our history, traditions and culture.

Throughout this year, ‘Let’s Fiesta’!”

In addition to the theme, officials announced that the historic parade, El Desfile Histórico, will return to Cabrillo Boulevard with a longer route from Castillo Street to Milpas.

Traditionally on State Street, the first in-person historic Fiesta parade since the pandemic took place last year on Cabrillo Boulevard. State Street hasn’t been used for parades since the advent of outdoor dining parklets at downtown restaurants.

At Monday’s news conference, Tony Miller, the division chief of pageantry, said people are excited to see the parade back on Cabrillo Boulevard.

“Cabrillo Boulevard is one of our most historic stretches,” he said.

“It was an important area for the Chumash. Later Spaniard Gaspar de Portola traveled along the route during his 1769 overland trek, and the boulevard is named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, whose ship, the San Salvador, came through our channel in 1542.”

In fact, a full-size replica of the San Salvador will visit the Santa Barbara harbor during Fiesta, and the public can go aboard for tours. The ship is traveling from its home at the San Diego Maritime Museum as part of a collaboration between Old Spanish Days and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Officials also said a full Mercado and carnival has received the green light to return to its historic roots at the beach. And they confirmed that the people will again see traditional events ranging from Fiesta Pequeña to the Rodeo to Noches de Ronda.

“Our organization, the city and our collaborative partners work very hard year-round to pull off a safe and memorable Fiesta,” said El Presidente Bolton. “We are looking forward to a great 2023 Fiesta.”

Officials spoke enthusiastically about other Fiesta news, including the return of the Fiesta carnival and a full Mercado and beer garden to the area near Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium. Historically, the carnival was first held there, before moving to MacKenzie Park as part of Mercado del Norte, which began in 1979.

The city of Santa Barbara is allowing the rebranded Mercado de la Playa to run Thursday-Sunday, providing a venue for a Sunday afternoon of Fiesta.

“This is fantastic news for our community, and for families and others who enjoy spending a Sunday afternoon together,” said El email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

The complaint notes that Mr. Varelas already has a prior serious felony conviction on his record, considered his first strike under the three strikes law.

He was arrested on Feb. 18 after the alleged threat came to light the night before, when Santa Maria police received information regarding police officers and their families being threatened on social media posts, Sgt. Daniel Rios said in a police department news brief posted online.

Officers initiated an investigation, and Mr. Varelas was identified as a suspect, Sgt. Rios said. Mr. Varelas’ social media account was also located.

During the initial police investigation, several more social media posts allegedly were made by Mr. Varelas and observed by officers in real time involving further threats against Santa Maria police officers and family members, Sgt. Rios said.

Mr. Varelas’ alleged threats referenced previous police contact and current threats to “kill” officers and family members, Sgt. Rios said.

Further investigation confirmed that Mr. Varelas was allegedly targeting and stalking officers’ homes in the Santa Maria area, Sgt. Rios said.

Detectives tracked him down and arrested him without incident. He remains in custody on $200,000 bail.