Judge sentences former probation officer in $169,000 embezzlement case
– San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that former San Luis Obispo County Deputy Probation Officer Fallyn Sierra Rollins, 32, has been sentenced for embezzling more than $169,000 from the San Luis Obispo County Probation Peace Officers’ Association.
The association is a nonprofit organization operated by employees that provides training, legal assistance, and other benefits to members employed by the county’s probation department.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Rollins served as treasurer of the association and repeatedly embezzled funds between February 2023 and August 2024. As treasurer, she had control of the association’s checking account, debit card, and financial records.
After the theft was discovered, association leadership reported the matter to the San Luis Obispo Police Department. The association and the county probation department cooperated with investigators during the case.
On Feb. 24, Rollins pleaded no contest to nine felony counts of grand theft. She also admitted an allegation that the thefts were related felonies involving more than $100,000.
The association calculated restitution at $169,874.95. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Rollins entered her plea after being advised that the assigned judge had indicated a sentence of felony probation, 270 days in county jail, and full restitution before sentencing.
The District Attorney’s Office opposed the indicated sentence and argued for a state prison commitment based on the amount stolen, the duration of the thefts, and what prosecutors described as a breach of trust.
Because Rollins was employed by the county probation department when the crimes occurred, the case was referred to the Santa Barbara County Probation Department for a sentencing recommendation. The Santa Barbara County Probation Department recommended a sentence of eight years and four months in state prison, the maximum sentence allowed under law.
At a sentencing hearing on June 2, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Rita Federman heard arguments from attorneys and victim impact statements from Rollins’ former colleagues.
Federman sentenced Rollins to two years of felony probation and ordered her to serve 270 days in county jail. The judge also found that Rollins had paid $169,874.95 in restitution, the full amount requested by the association.
“Embezzlement from your fellow members of a nonprofit organization is a tremendous betrayal of trust, and even more so when you are a member of law enforcement agency,” Dow said. “We are disappointed with this relatively light sentence, but we respect the Judge’s independence and authority to do so. The fact that Ms. Rollins has already fully paid the restitution was clearly a factor that weighed in her favor.”
If Rollins violates the terms of her probation, she faces a maximum sentence of eight years and four months in state prison.
The case was investigated by San Luis Obispo Police Department Detective Jeff Koznek and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal of the District Attorney’s Major Fraud and Public Integrity Unit.
Here is a copy of the complaint document.
