No charges in stabbing

The Orange County District Attorney’s office has declined to press charges against a self-professed MS-13 gang member who allegedly stabbed a man March 28 at the Laguna Beach bus depot.

Robert Perez Carvajal, also known as Jimmy Alexander Riveracastro and six other aliases, was arrested near Canyon Acres on Laguna Canyon Road shortly after leaving the scene on a bus.

“There was a lack of evidence, and the evidence we did have showed it to be a case of self-defense,” said Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the district attorney.

The determination not to file charges occurred on April 2. As of Thursday morning, Carvajal was listed as “in custody” and ineligible for bail at county jail.

Police said after the arrest that the stabbing had followed an argument between Carvajal and the victim, John Wilson, a 49-year-old homeless man.

Some in the community alleged that the incident was linked to the Day Labor Center in Laguna Beach, but police said they do not know whether Carvajal had been present at the labor center.

The MS-13 gang is known as a notoriously violent Central American gang.

The weapon was not found by police.