Photo: Kassandra Phillips
Originally published as a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release:
“On 06-02-2022 the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a possible embezzlement case. The case involved the theft and use of Costco gift cards from a location in Covelo, California.
It was learned there were 300 gift cards purchased with a value of $30.00 on each gift card (Total $9,000.00). These cards were purchased from money received from grants awarded to the Round Valley Tribe.
Investigating Sheriff’s Deputies found the gift cards had been used/redeemed in May 2022 by numerous people at different times at Costco in Ukiah (California). Sheriff’s Deputies continued their investigation by obtaining video surveillance, and other evidence. Sheriff’s Deputies were able to identify numerous people redeeming the Costco gift cards.
On 07-26-2022 at about 8:00 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force and Mendocino County Probation Department served three search warrants in Covelo.
At all three locations Sheriff’s Deputies found evidence linking them to the use of the Costco gift cards. Sheriff’s Deputies also located 4 firearms, one had characteristics of an illegal firearm, along with three high capacity magazines.
Sheriff’s Deputies interviewed people involved with the usage of the gift cards and found the cards were received from Kassandra Phillips. Sheriff’s Deputies found Phillips worked at the location where the gift cards were taken from.
Sheriff’s Deputies contacted Phillips and eventually arrested her for embezzlement [503 PC] and grand theft from a building [487(A) PC].
Phillips was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where she was to be held in lieu of $15,000.00 bail.”
