Reshae Marie Cuevas, a former volunteer treasurer for the Imperial Beach Little League, has pleaded not guilty to stealing $96,000 from the youth organization . The 39-year-old appeared in San Diego Superior Court to face charges related to unauthorized fund transfers and purchases.
The $96,000 Drain on Imperial Beach Little League
Reshae Marie Cuevas faces 16 criminal counts stemming from her time as a volunteer treasurer, according to the report. These charges include eight counts of fraudulent appropriation and eight counts of grand theft by an employee. The alleged theft occurred over a one-year period between January 2025 and January 2026, during which time the Imperial Beach Little League's funds were systematically diverted.
During her appearance in San Diego Superior Court, Judge Laura Duffy ordered Cuevas to remain away from all league events, directors, and the organization itself while the legal proceedings continue. Although Cuevas is currently out on bond, the court's restrictive order highlights the sensitivity of the case as it moves toward trial.
Apple Pay Transfers and San Ysidro DMV Fees
The specifics of the alleged embezzlement reveal a pattern of personal spending funded by community donations. Deputy District Attorney Huy Betz stated that Reshae Marie Cuevas used a league debit card to make more than $30,000 in unauthorized purchases. These expenditures included gift cards, online gambling and gaming applications, and even a driver's license renewal fee at the DMV in San Ysidro, as detailed in an arrest warrant declaration.
Beyond the debit card spending, the prosecution alleges a more direct siphoning of funds. According to the report, Cuevas transferred an additional $60,000 from the Imperial Beach Little League checking account directly into her personal Apple Pay account. This combination of small-scale retail fraud and large-scale digital transfers accounts for the total $96,000 loss.
A Threat to the $70,000 Spring Season Budget
The scale of the alleged theft is particularly jarring when compared to the actual operating costs of the youth program. The Imperial Beach Little League typically requires between $60,000 and $70,000 to run a full spring season, covering essential costs such as uniforms,equipment, vendors, and field maintenance. The $96,000 allegedly stolen by Reshae Marie Cuevas exceeds the entire annual operating budget for the spring season.
Imperial Beach Little League President Zach Garland noted that the fraud was discovered earlier this year. Garland emphasized that the organization would have faced a severe financial crisis that could have derailed the season for the 333 children who played spring ball, had several donors and sponsors not stepped in to provide emergency financial assistance. The league's resilience is evident in its current numbers, with 220 children already registered for the upcoming fall season.
The Gap in Imperial Beach Little League's Financial Oversight
The case raises critical questions about how a single volunteer could move $60,000 via Apple Pay and spend $30,000 on a debit card over a year without triggering immediate alarms. It remains unclear whether the Imperial Beach Little League had a secondary signatory for large transfers or if regular monthly audits were performed by the board of directors. furthermore, the source does not specify if the league had insurance to cover employee or volunteer dishonesty, leaving the community to wonder if the $96,000 will ever be recovered beyond the generosity of the sponsors who saved the season.
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