RivCo Women Extort $100K From Man On Threats Of Deportation: Cops

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — A Rancho Mirage man was extorted for over $100,000 on threats of deportation, and two Hemet-area women were arrested on suspicion of committing the white collar crime, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Ilvia Yvette Lopez, 43, and Bertha Gasso, 67, both of Hemet, were arrested in March on suspicion of felony extortion and other crimes. According to jail records, they were arrested by Palm Desert officers on March 25 and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on multiple theft-related charges. Gasso has been released, while Lopez is in the Larry D. Smith Correctional facility. She awaits a court hearing on April 21 at the Indio Larson Justice Center. They will appear in court at a later date.

The department learned of the extortion case in early March, when they learned that a victim had been forced to hand over $100,000 in Rancho Mirage, under threats of being deported if he didn't pay. The Ranhco Mirage Special Enforcement Team assumed the case, investigating the claim and identifying the suspects.

Shortly before 3 p.m. on March 25, officers located Lopez in the 32000 block of Bob Hope Drive and took her into custody without incident. Her accomplice, Gasso, was with Lopez and also arrested, according to Sgt. Bryan Whitley's statement.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Paull with the special enforcement investigators at 760-836-1600.

"The Riverside County Sheriff's Office encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities," Whitley said. "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."