A woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to hate crime charges stemming from allegations that she pepper sprayed a transgender woman at Chicano Park.
Georgina Mercado is accused of pepper spraying the woman in a bathroom at the Barrio Logan national landmark located on Logan Avenue and underneath Interstate 5 on Feb. 26, according to police.
Mercado pleaded not guilty to unlawful use of tear gas and battery, both with hate crime allegations, and interference with civil rights by an act of hatred or threat.
Details surrounding the altercation that led to allegations of a hate crime were not made available.
Mercado was released from jail after paying a $ 30,000 bail. If found guilty, she could face up to six years in prison.
