According to the newspaper, Josh Vallum, a 29 year-old member of Latin Kings street gang, confessed to stabbing and murdering Mercedes Williamson (17 years old) in May 2015. This was because Williamson was transgender. Her gender identity was not an issue, and he had previously denied that he killed her. Vallum also admitted to crossing state lines in order to murder the victim and hiding his sexual relationship with her from his family, friends, and his gang members. Vallum is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the same crime. He claimed that he entered a guilty plea in order to protect his fellow Latin Kings gang members. Vallum could be sentenced to a life term without parole and a maximum $250,000 fine. Vallum will be sentenced on March 21. He will be sentenced March 21.