Former Mojave Desert Land Trust Employee Arrested for Embezzling Over $300,000

A former employee of the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) has been arrested after investigators discovered he embezzled over $300,000 from the organization. Staff from MDLT had reported the suspected fraud when they noticed several hundred thousand dollars were missing from their account due to checks being fraudulently written and deposited.

The Morongo Basin Detectives' Bureau took over the case and conducted an extensive investigation, which revealed that Ernesto Jose Frias Ybarra, the former MDLT employee, had used several fictitious business names to open bank accounts where he deposited MDLT checks. Over several months, he deposited these checks into his accounts at various banks, then made fraudulent transactions, including writing checks and conducting online transfers in an effort to conceal the stolen funds.

After presenting the case to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, felony charges were filed against Frias Ybarra, which included 23 counts of embezzlement and multiple charges of money laundering and aggravated white-collar crime. An arrest warrant was issued for him.

On March 5, 2025, detectives located Frias Ybarra in Desert Hot Springs and executed a search warrant at his residence. They found additional evidence of his fraudulent activities. Frias Ybarra was taken into custody, booked at the Morongo Basin Jail, and is currently being held on $750,000 bail.

Authorities are continuing to investigate and believe there may be additional victims connected to this case. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station at (760) 366-4175 or the We-Tip hotline at 1-888-78-CRIME.