DATE/TIME: March 5, 2025, at 2:23 p.m.
INCIDENT: PC 508 - Embezzlement, PC186.10 - Money Laundering
LOCATION: 60100 block of Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree
SUSPECT(S): Ernesto Jose Frias Ybarra, 45-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs
VICTIM(S): Mojave Desert Land Trust
SUMMARY: Staff from Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) reported to Morongo Basin deputies a suspected embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars from their account, via fraudulently written checks. The case was assigned to the Morongo Basin Detectives' Bureau for further investigation.
After extensive investigation, detectives discovered Ernesto Jose Frias Ybarra, a former employee of MDLT, embezzled over $300,000 over a period of several months by depositing MDLT checks into his own bank accounts at various banks, which he had opened under fictitious business names. Frias Ybarra then made several transactions with the money, including written checks and online transfers to other accounts in attempt to conceal the source of the money and carry on the fraudulent activity.
The case was presented to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney's Office filed felony charges against Frias Ybarra, consisting of 23 counts of PC 508 - Embezzlement with an enhancement for PC 186.11(a)(3) - Aggravated White Collar Crime and 20 counts of PC 186.10(a) - Money Laundering. The District Attorney's Office then obtained an arrest warrant for Frias Ybarra.
On Wednesday March 5, 2025, detectives from the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station located Frias Ybarra in Desert Hot Springs. Detectives served a search warrant at his residence and located additional evidence of the crime. Frias Ybarra was taken into custody for his warrant and booked at the Morongo Basin Jail and is being held in lieu of $750,000 bail.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims related to this investigation and are releasing Frias Ybarra's booking photograph. If you have any information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
Refer: Detective S. Crowl
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 092300856
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
