Pimentel graduated from New York’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in 1995, where she played violin. She focused on acting more after high school, playing Juliet in a touring production of Romeo and Juliet, and landing small roles in movies and TV shows.

After a series of bit parts, Pimentel played the role of Angelique Domenguez in the 2008 film Pride and Glory. In 2014, she was cast as Floyd in four episodes of Person of Interest.

Since 2010, Pimentel has been the lead vocalist and a recording guitarist for the New York-based death metal band Alekhine’s Gun. Pimentel has also recorded several songs with the band Black Heart Sutra, and sings in the Los Angeles/Tijuana based metal band Brujeria performing under the name La Bruja Encabronada.

Pimentel’s breakout role came in 2013, when she was cast as Maria Ruiz on the Netflix comedy-drama Orange Is the New Black. Pimentel was credited as a guest star for the first four seasons, before finally being made a part of the regular cast for Season 5.