Sheriff’s Office makes arrest in $70,000 fraud theft

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

||| FROM SHERIFF ERIC PETERS for SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE |||

In September of 2023 the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office took an initial report from a victim after she discovered fraudulent transfers out of her bank account into that of former employee in the total amount of $70,000. The Deputy who took the initial report partnered with one of our Detectives and began a lengthy investigation onto this crime perpetrated upon this victim.

Over the next several months, multiple search warrants were applied for and granted, resulting in much needed information for this case. Detectives learned throughout the investigation that the suspect was no longer in San Juan County and a plan was made to attempt to locate where she may be living at that time.

In late April 2024, Detectives were contacted by the victim with information that the suspect was back in San Juan County. Detectives were able to set up a meeting and conducted an interview with the suspect. At the conclusion of the interview the suspect was arrested for Felony Theft in the First Degree and Felony Identity Theft- First Degree and booked into the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Holding Facility pending a next day in custody hearing.

The suspect was found to have a lengthy criminal history starting in 1986, spanning through Texas, California, and numerous arrests in Washington. $25,000 bail was requested, and the suspect was released by the court without bail, on her personal recognizance to appear at her next hearing.