SIMI VALLEY : $50,000 Bail for Man in Extortion Plot

At the request of prosecutors, a judge raised the bail of a convicted gunman in a botched extortion plot and sent him to jail Friday.

“This is such a serious offense,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Audry Rohn said in successfully arguing that bail be set at $50,000. Louis Ottilo had previously been free on recognizance.

Rohn also said it appears very likely that Ottilo will receive a prison term when he is sentenced Dec. 6.

Ottilo, 57, of Canyon Country, plotted with a Simi Valley stripper to swindle an elderly admirer of the woman for $80,000 earlier this year. A Ventura County jury convicted Ottilo and Robin Goebel of one count each of attempted extortion.

Goebel had invited Joseph Nakashima to her Simi Valley apartment in February for a belated Valentine’s Day celebration. While the two sat on her couch and discussed marriage, Ottilo burst in and pointed a gun at the pair and demanded $80,000.

Investigators said Goebel and Ottilo were in cahoots and both admitted to the extortion plan during their trial.

Ottilo faces a maximum sentence of 11 1/2 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 6. Goebel could be sent to prison for up to 2 1/2 years when she is sentenced the same day, Rohn said. Goebel remains free on $10,000 bail.