Submitted by The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
$70,000 Fraud Theft Arrest
In September of 2023 the San Juan Couty 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 in arrests 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.
Arrest made in Child Pornography case
On 11-07-2023, a CyberTip case was assigned to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office by the Seattle Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Initial investigation by the Seattle PD ICAC Task Force revealed the suspect of the CyberTip resided in San Juan County. Detectives with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation, serving search warrants and found the suspect had left Washington State. Probable cause was established, and a $500,000 arrest warrant was issued by San Juan County Superior Court.
On May 13, the suspect was taken into custody in Connecticut on the following charges:
• Dealing in Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct in the First Degree, in violation of RCW 9.68A.050(1)(a)(i) and (b).
• Dealing in Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct in the Second Degree, in violation of RCW 9.68A.050(2)(a)(i) and (b).
• Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct in the First Degree, in violation of RCW 9.68A.070(1)(a) and (b).
• Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct in the Second Degree, in violation of RCW 9.68A.070(2)(a) and (b).
The suspect was then transported back to Washington State by the U.S. Marshal Service into the custody of the
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. The court set a $250,000 bail at the initial hearing on July 24 and the suspect was transported to the Skagit County Jail for holding. Bond was posted for the defendant, and the defendant is currently out on bail pending trial.
This case was a collaborative investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), and the Seattle Police Department ICAC Unit which is also the Lead Agency for the Washington Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (WA ICAC TF).
