Fallbrook Woman Arrested After Being a Fugitive for Four Years

FBI Special Agent in Charge Daphne Hearn announces the arrest of Rosemary Sauter- Frett, age 62, of Fallbrook, California. Sauter-Frett, was arrested on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at a residence in Fallbrook, California. Sauter-Frett was arrested by the FBI with assistance from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Sauter-Frett was arrested pursuant to a federal arrest warrant charging her with violation of Unlawful Flight To Avoid Prosecution (UFAP). According to the complaint filed with the District Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas and St. John dated March 10, 2010, Rosemary Sauter-Frett, aka Rosemary Sauter, allegedly fled St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to avoid being prosecuted for the theft of $122,900. The $122,900 was allegedly stolen from customers of her company who believed their funds were being held securely in the Rema Dreams Properties escrow account.

On Monday, February 3, 2014, Sauter-Frett appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford. Sauter-Frett remains in custody and the next scheduled court date is Thursday, February 13, 2014.

The public is reminded that an arrest itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.