November 23, 2024 – Plumas County Sheriff's Office officials report on Sheriff’s Association Embezzlement case.

We appreciate the efforts of the Plumas County District Attorney's Office in bringing justice to this case of embezzlement within the Sheriff's Employees Association. The thorough investigation and prosecution reflect the commitment to integrity within our department. We also commend our employees for their dedication in uncovering this crime and ensuring accountability. This outcome is a reminder that no one is above the law, and we remain committed to serving our community with transparency and trust.

The below release is being shared from Plumas County District Attorney, David Hollister.

Sheriff’s Association Embezzlement – People v. Cassandra Lavley

On October 11, 2024, Cassandra Beth Lavley, age 39 of Quincy, California was convicted of felony embezzlement. The crime(s) occurred during 2022 and 2023 and involved Lavley, a Plumas County Sheriff’s Dispatcher, embezzling funds within her capacity as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Plumas County Sheriff’s Employee Association. The investigation, headed by Assistant District Attorney Graham Archer and District Attorney Investigator Shawn Adams, proved Lavley embezzled over $20,000 from the Association’s "General Account" and the "Needy Kids Account" (the fundraising proceeds used by the Association to provide gifts for children in need at Christmas time) for purchases such as concerts, designer clothing, furniture, televisions, a mattress, alcohol, and food.

On November 22, 2024, Lavley’s sentencing hearing was heard before the Honorable Douglas Prouty in Department One of the Plumas County Superior Court. Prior to the sentencing date, Lavley paid full restitution of $25,592.76. In a presentence report, the Plumas County Probation Department recommended the court place Lavley on probation and sentence her to 180 days in jail. During the sentencing hearing, Lavley, through her attorney, argued for a reduced sentence noting the early acknowledgement of guilt, the payment of restitution and the impact this felony conviction had on her and her family. Assistant District Attorney Graham Archer, representing the Plumas County DA’s office, argued the impact of Lavley’s crime on the community, her abuse of a trusted position, and her seeming lack of concern over those Plumas County families who were intended to be recipients of the donations Lavley had embezzled warranted a sentence greater than the 180 days recommended by Probation. After careful consideration and recitation of both aggravating and mitigating factors, Judge Prouty placed Lavley on two years of formal probation. Terms of Lavley’s probation included she serve 270 days in the county jail. Judge Prouty ordered Lavley to arrange alternative sentencing through the Sheriff’s Office or surrender to the jail on January 24, 2025.

I very much appreciate the hard work and dedication of Assistant District Attorney Graham Archer and DA Investigator Shawn Adams in investigating and prosecuting this case as well as the timely and thorough efforts by Deputy Chandler Peay and Sgt. Jake Vickrey in detecting the theft, conducting a thorough internal investigation and assisting the district attorney’s office in the prosecution. The DA’s office recognizes how difficult this can be when the crime being reported involves a co-worker. Deputy Peay and Sgt. Vickrey, in particular, deserve our gratitude in placing their obligation to our community above any friendship or related loyalty.

Source: Plumas County Sheriff's Office