Court documents share detail into alleged embezzlement by former vet employee - East Idaho News
Crime Watch

Court documents share detail into alleged embezzlement by former vet employee

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REXBURG — Cedar Ridge Animal Hospital was tipped off by a third-party credit card company about suspicious financial activity, which ultimately led to the arrest of a former employee earlier this month.

Police reports show on Dec. 1, the Rexburg Police Department was called to the veterinary clinic after its owner learned of multiple credit/debit card refunds. Investigators were pointed to 36-year-old Jenessa Stevens, an employee of over four years.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the initial transactions were flagged on Nov. 24 and Nov. 30 for nearly $4,000. The money had been refunded from the business to the Mountain America Credit Union account belonging to Stevens.

RELATED | Woman arrested after police say she stole $126,000 from local veterinary clinic

Investigators learned of another debit card with refunds. Police were able to look at least 262 transactions from January 2019 to Dec. 1, 2020 made to Stevens’ account totaling over $126,000. The credit card processing company told investigators there could be additional transactions by Stevens, but the accounting records before 2019 are archived.

Police reports show investigators are looking into the records from the previous years.

Stevens is charged with three felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and three felony counts of computer crime. If convicted on all counts, Stevens could be ordered to spend up to 57-years in prison.

The Rexburg Police Department arrested Stevens on Dec. 3 and booked her into the Madison County Jail. She posted $75,000 bail and was released.

Although Stevens is charged with a crime, it does not necessarily mean she committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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