SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man was accused of threatening to harm current and running Sacramento council members, according to a felony complaint filed by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.
The complaint, filed Tuesday, alleges 37-year-old Alexander Hoch threatened great bodily harm to and the lives of candidate Karina Talamantes and councilmembers Katie Valenzuela and Mai Vang on or around Nov. 10.
The complaint says Hoch’s alleged threats were “so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate and specific as to convey to Katie Valenzuela and Karina Talamantes a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution."
Talamantes says she increased security at her home and warned her friends and family about these threats long before November.
"The harassment, threats, and fear for my own safety began in June of 2022 when Mr. Hoch started contacting me through social media, emails and tracking my whereabouts in the community," said Talamantes in a press release. "It’s unacceptable that I have to fear for my own safety. More must be done to protect women who choose to run for office and participate in the governance structure of our country."
Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby says the threats made against these officials are "sexist, unacceptable, dangerous and must be met with swift action."
Officials were trying to serve Hoch with a warrant, Saturday. Hoch and law enforcement ended up in a nine-hour-long standoff in the 3000 block of C Street ending in a peaceful surrender after chemical agents were deployed into the home.
It's not stated in the complaint whether the two situations are related, nor when exactly the threats were allegedly made.
Hoch has since been booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of violating terms of probation, and resisting or obstructing a public peace officer. He is ineligible for bail.
Hoch is scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Court at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Sacramento County Superior Court executed a temporary restraining order against Hoch on behalf of Sacramento Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby, Chief of Staff and Council Candidate Karina Talamantes, as well as Councilmembers Mai Vang and Katie Valenzeula.
The temporary restraining order was granted with a 100-yard stay away from work, home, car, person, and complete ban on communication including social media. The hearing on the restraining order is currently scheduled for Dec. 9 at 8:30am.
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