Initially, Gonzales was charged with eight counts of extortion, two counts of attempted extortion, three counts of non-payment to an innkeeper, and one count of petty theft, according to the Daily Beast. Prosecutors argued that Gonzales had extorted victims by making them feel afraid, Los Angeles Magazine reported. The charges could have ended up with as much as a 13-year sentence.
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Ultimately, a judge threw out the extortion charges, but the non-payment and theft charges were upheld. After a trial, Gonzales was convicted of all four charges. His sentence was set at 120 days in jail, and he was banned from using dating apps during his probation.
Some of Gonzales’ victims have taken this as a win, and evidence of “karma.” But experts are less optimistic, pointing out that Gonzales will likely start up his scam again once his probation has ended, according to Los Angeles Magazine. For his part, Gonzales has disputed the allegations against him, saying that he only left one date without paying.
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