A 25-year-old transient who allegedly attacked a bus driver and damaged the vehicle in Stanton pleaded not guilty Monday to vandalism and other charges.
Jennifer Nicole Medina faces one felony count of vandalism and one misdemeanor count each of assault against a transportation worker and battery against a transportation worker.
The driver called Orange County sheriff’s deputies about 12:15 p.m. on May 1, saying a woman grew angry when he tried to collect her bus fare at Katella and Western avenues, said Jaimee Blashaw of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver, whose name was not released, said the woman spat on him and threw a trash can that broke a rear window of the bus, causing about $470 in damage, Blashaw said.
Court records show that Medina pleaded guilty Oct. 14, 2016, to joyriding and possession of a stolen vehicle, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of assault with a key used as a knife, driving drunk and assault and battery on two victims. She was sentenced to a year and four months behind bars, but had credit for 518 days served in jail and was placed on two years and eight months of supervision.
Medina has failed multiple drug tests with marijuana and methamphetamine found in her system in February, March and April, according to court records, that show she got into a scuffle with staff at a treatment program in Garden Grove on April 23 in which she allegedly spat on a victim.
Medina, who listed her occupation as painter, remains in custody. She was ordered to return to court May 15 for a pretrial hearing.