Transgender Robbery: D.A. Files Assault, Grand Theft Charges

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Two men accused of violently robbing three transgender women in Hollywood on August 17 have been charged with several felonies.

29-year-old Carlton Callaway faces felony counts of assault, battery, second-degree robbery, criminal threats and grand theft, according to the District Attorney's Office. Davion Williams, 22, faces one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft.

Both Callaway and Williams face a hate crime enhancement. A third man was initially arrested in connection to the case, but was not charged by authu

On the night of the crime, Eden The Doll, Joslyn Flawless and Jaslene Whiterose were waiting for an Uber around 2:15 a.m when police say Callaway offered to buy them gifts at a nearby store before refusing to pay. Authorities say he later approached the women with a metal bar while demanding shoes and a bracelet.

Footage of the incident showed a group of men repeatedly mocking the three women. The men continuously threaten the women and steal their possessions, taking one woman's phone and demanding money to return it. At one point, a man who the District Attorney says is Callaway sneaks up behind Whiterose and strikes her in the head, causing her to pass out on the curb.

The videos quickly went viral and drew widespread condemnation toward the men responsible for the attack. Flawless called it the "scariest moment of her life" in a heartfelt Instagram post shortly after the incident.

"This is where i was while @edenthedoll and @jaslenewhiterose were crying for help," she said. "He held a crow bar to my face and threatened to kill me unless I stripped my shoes off and gave him my jewelry and all my processions. He said if i was trans he would kill me. He then forced me to hold his hand while he looks for my friends to kill them for being trans. Meanwhile men and WOMEN screaming that I'm a man and telling him to beat me. Please help us find them. PLEASE."

According to the District Attorney's Office, Callaway could face a maximum of 13 years if convicted. Williams would face up to 8 years in state prison.

An arraignment date has not yet been filed.

City News Service and Kenan Draughorne contributed to this report.