A former librarian for the city of Porterville is facing felony charges after police say she stole thousands of dollars from an elderly woman she had agreed to help with financial tasks, the Porterville Police Department said in a statement.

Vikki Ann Cervantes, 50, was charged this month with felony grand theft, felony identity theft, and felony elder or dependent adult abuse following a yearlong investigation.

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Authorities said the investigation began March 3, 2024, when officers responded to a report of financial fraud at a Porterville residence. A 60-year-old woman told police she had suffered a medical condition the year before and enlisted Cervantes — a friend — to assist her with bills and financial obligations.

As part of that arrangement, Cervantes was given access to the woman’s bank account. But police say Cervantes used that access to pay for personal expenses without the victim’s knowledge or consent, resulting in thousands of dollars in losses.

Detectives from the department’s General Investigations Unit led the case, conducting interviews and serving search warrants. The Tulare County District Attorney’s Forensic Financial Crimes Unit also reviewed the case and uncovered additional evidence.

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Investigators allege Cervantes opened new accounts and continued using the victim’s funds for unrelated purposes over an extended period of time. At the time of the alleged theft, Cervantes was also serving as the city’s librarian.

A forensic audit of library finances found no evidence of wrongdoing involving city funds, police said.

A felony arrest warrant was issued for Cervantes, who turned herself in to Tulare County Superior Court on Friday, May 9.

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She was released on her own recognizance and is awaiting arraignment.

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