On Friday, September 13, 2019, a social media message was posted referencing a potential threat to this weekend’s Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival in Central Park. The social media message inaccurately alleged a specific threat to cause harm at this weekend’s festival. This allegation has been investigated and has been determined to be completelyfalse and inaccurate information. Unfortunately, it was circulated through social media causing unnecessary fear.
On September 11, 2019, the Santa Clara Police Department made an arrest of a male suspect who was in possession of material used to make a small explosive device. The suspect, Benoni Otovo, is a 20-year-old resident of San Jose. Suspect Otovo was subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of possessing the materials necessary to make a destructive device (Penal Code 18720) and possession of a firearm on a school campus (Penal Code 626.9i).
A thorough investigation was conducted, which resulted in absolutely no connection to the Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival, any other event, or venue.
Date of Occurrence: September 13, 2019
Incident: Inaccurate Social Media Post
Location: Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival
