Federal prosecutors in California on Monday said a jury found a transgender prostitute guilty of killing a man who wanted his money back after discovering the sex worker was a biological man.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California said Leion Butler, a 21-year-old man who also goes by Leniyah Butler, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the 2023 killing of customer Hamza Walupupu, 32.

The jury acquitted Butler of the more serious second-degree murder charge that the prostitute was facing.

Court documents said Walupupu picked up Butler and said he wanted “everything” from the sex worker during an interaction on Nov. 12, 2023. 

The victim drove Butler to San Francisco’s Crissy Field recreation area, where officials said the prostitute performed oral sex on Walupupu. 

Walupupu then pushed to have intercourse with Butler, at which point the sex worker revealed that he was transgender.

The victim became upset and demanded his money back. He then tried to kick Butler out of his car.

Prosecutors said Butler shot Walupupu in the head during the confrontation.

Butler then stole the victim’s car and ditched it at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Butler also attempted to wipe down the car to remove any traces of the assailant’s DNA.

Authorities said a combination of cellphone data and surveillance footage linked Butler to the crime. The prostitute was nabbed by police less than a week after Walupupu’s slaying.

Butler is behind bars. The prostitute could spend up to 15 years in federal prison after sentencing in June.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.