Cassandra Beth Lavley, a dispatcher with the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested April 12 and charged with three felony counts that including embezzling from a fund providing gifts for children in need at Christmas.
Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister charged Lavley, 39, with two counts of embezzlement and one count of fraudulent alteration of books. All three are felonies.
The alleged crimes occurred during 2022 and 2023 and involve Lavley in her capacity as the secretary/treasurer of the Plumas County Sheriff’s Employee’s Association.
The investigation, headed by Assistant District Attorney Graham Archer and District Attorney Investigator Shawn Adams, alleges Lavley embezzled over $20,000 from the association’s general account and the “needy kids account,” used to provide local children with Christmas gifts as well as purchase concert tickets, clothing, furniture and food.
The complaint, filed April 11 in Plumas County Superior Court, also alleges that Lavley altered the accounts and documents kept by the employee’s association. The alleged crimes took place between Jan. 1, 2022, and Nov. 21, 2023, according to the complaint
Lavley, of Quincy, was taken into custody around 10 a.m. April 12 after a warrant was issued by Plumas County Superior Court Judge Janet Hilde. Hilde ordered bail set at $50,000 and directed that the source of any potential bail be examined by the court to make sure it originated from a lawful source.
Sheriff Todd Johns said he contacted the district attorney’s office immediately after learning of the allegations. “It is super unfortunate when a person you trust lets you down,” he said. He and his department are fully cooperating with the district attorney’s office as the investigation proceeds, Johns said.
Hollister said sheriff’s employees reported the alleged crime promptly and have been “cooperative, forthcoming and diligent” during the investigation. The defendant has been both a coworker and friend to many in the sheriff’s office, he said.
Despite this connection, once it was discovered the defendant was embezzling from association accounts, “everyone did what they were supposed to do,” Hollister said. “While this theft is more than unfortunate, the response by members of the sheriff’s office makes clear that the value they place on their oath, the rule of law and their responsibility to the community they serve are paramount.”
Lavley is expected to remain in custody in a correctional facility outside Plumas County pending her arraignment on April 15.
