An alleged gang member from Castaic was arrested on charges of extorting a transgender woman, officials said Thursday.
Margarita Valencia aka “Inquieta,” 23, of Castaic, faces one felony count of extortion, according to Ricardo Santiago, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Valencia is charged with extorting a transgender woman on or between June and August, according to prosecutors.
The defendant faces allegations of committing the crimes in association with a criminal street gang, according to Santiago.
The case was filed for warrant and extradition from Las Vegas on Nov. 6. Deputy District Attorneys Steven Mac of the Hardcore Gang Division and Richard Ceballos of the Hate Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
A co-defendant, Javier Trimin-Rodriguez aka “Golden”, 22, of Los Angeles faces one felony count each of attempted murder and extortion in connection with the stabbing of another transgender woman in MacArthur Park, according to prosecutors.
Trimin-Rodriguez additionally faces a hate crime allegation and allegations of using a knife as a deadly and dangerous weapon as well as causing great bodily injury, according to Santiago.
If convicted as charged, Trimin-Rodriguez and Valencia both face a possible maximum sentence of life in state prison with parole.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Rampart Division.
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