Originally charged with kidnapping woman over $11,000 theft, Oakland man pleads to gun charge for probation

OAKLAND — A city resident who originally faced charges of kidnapping a sex worker over $11,000 she allegedly took from him has accepted a plea deal and a probation sentence, according to court records.

David Salazar, 33, of Oakland, pleaded no contest to carrying a concealed weapon, and was sentenced to credit for time he’s already spent in jail and two years felony probation, court records show. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped kidnapping and criminal threats charges against him.

Salazar was charged back in August with kidnapping an 18-year-old woman, who reported that three men forced her into an Acura and took her from a location on International Boulevard, held her at gunpoint, threatened to take her to Mexico and leave her there, and questioned her about the missing $11,000. One of her friends witnessed the incident and called police, who then began tracking the car with help from a helicopter.

Two of the suspects fled, leaving Salazar and the woman, police said. The suspects who fled have not been publicly identified or charged.

A report filed in court by a probation officer agrees that Salazar is a suitable candidate for probation despite the allegations of a violent offense.

“This matter is his first felony conviction, he reports gainful employment, stable housing and family support,” the report says, adding that he also needs to address his “abuse of alcoholic beverages.”

A filing by Salazar’s attorney says that when police arrived to arrest him, Salazar was just walking with the woman and did not have his hands on her, although police found a gun in his pants. The attorney, Deputy Public Defender Sarah Grenfell, added that the victim “played an active role in this case” by stealing from Salazar days earlier.

The plea deal was finalized last month, court records show.