Woman accused of embezzlement arrested again Thursday
The woman indicted for embezzling more than $29,000 from Mathers Realty was arrested again Thursday and charged for allegedly committing another financial crime, police said.
Four felony cases were pending against 34-year-old Michelle R. Casas while two current investigations were underway.
Casas was arrested on a new indictment of one count of embezzlement more than $20,000 and 33 counts of forgery less than $2,500.
She was also served Thursday with a warrant charging her with making an unauthorized withdrawal from her latest employer’s business account, police said.
The new case stems from an Oct. 10, 2016, report in which MANS Construction alleges Casas, a temporary employee, illegally used company funds to pay for her personal DISH Network account.
Casas was awaiting adjudication on four pending jury trials for previous indictments while she was employed by Mathers Realty and MANS Construction, police said.
The four previously pending jury trials for Casas include:
November 2014 – December 2014: three counts of forgery, seven counts of issuing a worthless check and one count of theft of identity. March 2015: two counts of forgery and two counts of acquisition or attempt to acquire a controlled substance. October 2015: forgery for allegedly making or altering a false check. November 2015: forgery for allegedly making or altering a false check.
Casas was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where she’s currently being held on a $60,000 total secured bond.
The Las Cruces Police Department encourages other potential victims of financial crimes to call (575) 526-0795.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A grand jury has indicted a Las Cruces woman accused of embezzling more than $29,000, District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced Wednesday.
Michelle Casas, 34, was indicted on one count of embezzlement, a second-degree felony; and 33 counts of forgery, all fourth-degree felonies.
Investigators said the defendant converted 33 company checks worth $29,587.64 to her personal use.
“Usually, white collar crimes are planned violations of the law,” D’Antonio said, “By holding defendants responsible and raising awareness, we’re forcing potential white-collar criminals to think twice about defrauding local businesses.”
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces up to nine years in prison for embezzlement and 18 months behind bars for each fourth-degree felony.
Casas may face additional time for prior convictions for similar crimes.
