RivCo Women Accused Of $100,000 Immigration-Driven Extortion Arraigned

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — A pair of Riverside County women were arraigned on Thursday after they were arrested on suspicion of felony extortion, authorities said.

Hemet residents Ilvia Yvette Lopez, 43, and Bertha Verduzco Gasso, 67, are accused of threatening to have a Rancho Mirage man deported if he did not pay $100,000 on March 25. Each suspect is being held on $111,011 bail.

The man reportedly gave them the money, extorted by the women "by means of a wrongful use of force and fear," according to a complaint from the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

At their arraignment before Superior Court Judge Randolph Rogers, the women reportedly pleaded not guilty to charges of theft, extortion and a "white collar" crime enhancement due to the large amount of money involved, according to the DA.

The next court date is set for April 8, a felony settlement conference and bail review hearing, according to the DA.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies received a report about the threat on March 4.

During the investigation, deputies first identified Lopez on March 25 in the 32000 block of Bob Hope Drive, where she was taken into custody, police said. Then, police said they discovered an accomplice, which they identified as Gasso. She was found with Lopez and also taken into custody.

Both women were booked Tuesday into the John Benoit Detention Center on multiple theft-related charges, including extortion.

"The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities," the department encouraged, adding, "if you or someone you know is being threatened or coerced, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement. Extortion is a serious crime, and no one should be made to feel fearful or pressured into giving up their hard-earned money."