– Press releases

Inyo County District Attorney Investigators arrested former Correctional Officer Debra Didisee on embezzlement charges Thursday morning after she voluntarily surrendered herself at the DA’s office.

The District Attorney, Tom Hardy, has filed a complaint alleging six felony counts and one misdemeanor count of embezzlement which are alleged to have occurred over a four year period while she was employed as a Correctional Officer for the Inyo County Sheriff.

The Sheriff had referred the matter to the District Attorney’s office for investigation in December when the Sheriff’s Department became aware of potential missing funds in the Inmate Welfare Account and the Inmate Commissary Account at the Inyo County Jail. Ms. Didisee is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Department.

Ms. Didisee was booked at the Inyo County Jail and posted a $35,000.00 bail bond. She was ordered to appear in the Inyo County Superior Court on April 20, 2015.

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Inyo County District Attorney Tom Hardy announced Thursday morning that Bishop-area resident Christopher Ortiz was convicted this week after a short jury trial on a felony charge of Domestic Violence and a misdemeanor child abuse violation based on events occurring on December 6, 2014.

Following the jury’s verdicts, the court found to be “true” a special allegation that Mr. Ortiz had previously served a term in state prison. Sentencing in the case is set for April 14, 2015 in Independence, and Mr. Ortiz is facing up to six years in state prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Turner, following an investigation by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department. The District Attorney’s office would also like to thank the Bishop Paiute Tribe RAVE (Relief After Violent Encounters) staff for their support and assistance in this case.