Johnny Santos Moreno Pleads Guilty To Attacking Transgender Woman In Costa Mesa

WESTMINSTER (CBSLA) — Johnny Santos Moreno, a 23-year-old Costa Mesa Man, pleaded guilty Tuesday to attacking a transgender woman last month with his skateboard.

Moreno pleaded guilty to felony counts of violation of civil rights with violent injury and dissuading a victim by force and a misdemeanor count of assault. He was sentenced to six months in jail.

As part of the plea deal, a hate crime sentencing enhancement was dismissed and the assault count was downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor. Moreno was also placed on two years of formal probation.

Moreno, who has been in custody since March 11, hurled an anti-gay slur at the victim before repeatedly hitting her with a skateboard, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

A witness driving by saw the attack and called police. The D.A.'s Office said Moreno used the skateboard in an effort to dissuade the driver from reporting the crime.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)