I'm going to get right to the point. Hi Lexi. How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Good. Hey, I'm Sergeant Potter. This is Corporal Ingram. Just so you know, both of our cameras are recording. Um hey, I'm going to have you step out here with us. >> Okay. >> Okay. Is that a heating pad? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I have a bad back. >> Oh, do you? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You going to come out this side? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. So, you're under arrest right now. You have a warrant for your arrest. >> For what? >> So, just place your I'll go through everything with you here in just a second, okay? I'm going to double-lock these so they don't get too tight. And then I got to read you your rights and then we'll go through everything, all right? You want to stand right over here? >> [snorts] >> You can face me. And I'm going to read you your rights real quick and then I'll explain to you what's going on, all right? And we do have somebody else here to relieve you from your shift. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> On February 8th, 2025, a hotel front desk employee in Yakima, Washington was arrested at her workplace, booked on two felony counts of second-degree theft, and a pre-existing warrant for driving with a suspended license. The body cam runs nearly 30 minutes and captures the full arc, arrest, Miranda advisement, safety search, and a custodial interview that ends in a detailed confession. >> Do you understand each of these rights I've explained to you? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, a few things. You have a warrant for your arrest for driving with a suspended license out of the Sheriff's Office in Sunnyside. In addition to that, you're also being placed under arrest for theft in the second degree. >> For what? >> Well, that's what I would like to talk with you about. So, what we'll do is once we get all your stuff gathered and everything, we'll go down to my office and you might be able to clarify some things for me on that, but I'm confident that you know what it is. Will you go grab them and let them know so they can come in and we can get her things. Do you have your cell phone on you? >> No, it's not at the back office. >> Can you go grab her cell phone for you for me? >> Is there anything else she wants? >> Um my there's a black bag on the back desk that is also mine. >> Is her phone ringing right now? >> Yes. >> Yes. I just saw that here. >> Cuz I just called that and that didn't ring. >> Uh there was a no caller ID coming through. >> Oh, what's okay. Yeah, yeah, that's what it was. Okay. Just confirming. >> Do you need anything done as far as uh uh till or anything like that? >> I don't think so. >> Okay. Do you have any keys on you? >> Uh no. >> to get you searched. >> No. >> Okay. Do you have a vehicle? Is it So, is any of this stuff here that's in your bag belong to the business? >> No. >> No. So, the notebook and all that stuff >> No, that's not mine. >> That's all yours? >> Yes. >> You want to grab that. I'll grab these. And what we're going to do >> I'll put it in the bag now. >> Um what we're going to end up doing is we will go out to the car >> and search >> take you out of the office, do everything. >> Um Kyle, I have my little black bag there as well. >> Your little what? >> It's a little black bag and my earbuds. >> I'm just going to hold on to your arms so you don't fall. >> This one I'm worried about. Yes, it's supposed to be in the case. >> Sorry, I just >> That's okay. Are they both in there? Now, yeah. >> It's worse. >> Yes, that's why >> I'm sorry, Lexi. Did you say Did you drive Did you drive down? >> No, I didn't. >> You don't? Okay. Yeah, how do you get back to and from? >> Uh my partner has been driving me. I work 16-hour shifts. >> You guys work 16s? >> I do. >> Okay. >> It's the only way I can uh hit my full 40 with my schedule with my son. >> Got you. Okay. We're going to stand right in front of the car here real quick. Let me unlock it. So, here in a minute we're going to get the car camera turned on as well. And I just got to get you searched before I put you in the uh car. Is there anything on your person that I need to know about? >> No. >> Are you wearing a bra? >> Yes. >> Okay, is that a wire bra? >> No. >> Do you have anything hidden or concealed in your bra? >> No. >> Okay, very good. Can you reach in and turn that off for me? >> And Corporal Miller >> I'll be here to observe as well. >> Hey, it's gone. Do you get the front end back? >> I got the front end back but the third one won't. >> Yeah, the third one won't. Okay. So, you're just going to face this way. I just want you to separate your feet for me. And do you have anything in your pockets? >> Uh no, not that I remember. >> Try not to get your hair in there. There you go. Just raise up the waistline here. Got your phone. What's in this? >> It's just water. I have water. >> okay. I'm going to dump it out so it doesn't spill. Okay, we're going to walk to this side. And then when we're in the car, we're also being recorded, okay? >> Okay. >> Okay. Do you have any ideas to what I'm actually here talking about regarding the theft? >> No. >> You have no clue. You don't You can't think of anything that you've done that would be wrong where you would be arrested for a theft charge. >> No. >> Okay. Were you going to get a pizza tonight? >> Yes. >> Okay. And did it show up? >> Yes. >> It did? >> Yes. >> Okay. And how did you pay for that pizza? >> Um with my card I had on file. It auto-filled. >> It auto-filled your card? >> I just I clicked one of the cards that was on there. >> Mhm. Okay. So, in order to auto-fill something, you have to input it manually first and then save it into your your wallet or whatever phone that you have on your iPhone, right? So, it'd be your wallet. So, you have to save that on there. >> Right. >> Correct? >> Yeah. >> Tonight, you ended up placing an order for Domino's and you're saying that you used what your what you thought was your card. >> Yes. >> Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> So, problem is you didn't use your card. You used the card to one of the guests at the hotel. >> How >> Go ahead. >> No, no, go ahead. >> No, no. You You're asking me. >> No, I just I don't understand how that would work. >> I think we both know how that would work. Um is there any reason that you would be using your personal phone for work business and putting people's credit cards >> No. >> for work. You don't do that in any fashion. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. So, how would it auto-fill a customer's information, credit [snorts] card, the credit card number, the expiration date, and the three-digit PIN? How would that be possible to auto fill if you're not using your phone for any work related purposes? >> I I I don't know. >> Okay. [clears throat] Because it wasn't This wasn't the first time that this has happened. And you also did it when you went to watch the movies on the 4th at the theater. Do you remember going to the movies? >> Yes. >> movie did you see? >> I I know obviously what movie I saw. I just can't even think right now. Zootopia. >> Zootopia. Okay. Did you take your kiddo? >> Yes. >> Okay. Just how many tickets did you buy? >> Um three. >> And how did you buy those? >> Um online. >> Online? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And how much about how much was that? >> Um 20 something dollars. >> Okay. Sounds right. Yeah? >> Yeah. >> And then how much was the pizza tonight? >> 30 something. >> Okay. Yeah, I think it was 40 something, but regardless. >> Okay. >> Um and even prior to this, I believe this is not the first time this has happened either. We just couldn't prove it then, and now we can. You live in Yakima, yes? >> Yes. >> A while back, Sergeant Sedano also took a report from another customer that had stayed at the Red Lion. Saying, "Hey, I stayed at the Red Lion, and then a couple days later either were these fraudulent charges on my my credit card down in Yakima, specifically down in Yakima." One of them was from Walmart, one of them was KFC, and I don't remember off the top of my head where the other one was, but it was another online merchant of sorts. >> Okay. >> And whose name was associated with that? So, the reason I ask how it could possibly be, Lexi, that that gets auto filled >> Mhm. >> is to help understand it, cuz maybe there's a reason for it. I I don't know. I I'm not in the hotel business. So, there might have been a a legitimate reason you were using your phone to input stuff, but it doesn't sound like it. >> No. >> And talking with the owner, it doesn't sound like that's the case either. >> No. >> So, help me understand how it could possibly be that two different people had their credit cards used by you on accident to purchase things. >> I don't have an answer for that. >> I do not think you are a bad person. I think you made a mistake. I think you know that, too. Um what I will say is from the things that you did do that I know that you did and that you know that you did, you are not buying lavish to my knowledge. You are not buying Louis Vuitton purses and shoes. >> a single thing like that. >> The things that you presumably were buying from Walmart are goods and then food as well. There's been a lot of it. And then taking your kids to the movies. Those things I can look at from the outside looking in and go, "Okay, she's I didn't [music] know that you had kids. I presume that you did when I saw the tickets." >> Just the one. Yes. >> You have a kid, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um I didn't know, but I presumed that that's probably what it was and then I see the things that you are buying with these goods. This is not you buying jewelry, >> No. >> fancy toys, uh new car. You're not doing those things, but it is little things by little trying to make your life a little bit easier. Is that a fair assessment? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I can't put words in your mouth because well, I could, but I think that's disrespectful. I I don't want to do that. I have my own assumptions. >> Mhm. >> And I just kind of laid it out why you've done what you've done by using other people's stuff. My assumptions are my assumptions. It helps me understand if I actually hear why you did this, how you did it, and what the purpose was for. Because if it's, "I'm just greedy and I want to hurt people." >> Not at all. >> That's that's a lot different than, "I'm making minimum wage. I've got a kid. I work 16-hour days and I'm trying to get by. Help me understand." >> No, you already you got it. >> Okay. This might be difficult for you to answer, but I want you to do it to the best of your ability. >> Mhm. >> How long have you been doing this? >> Recently. I actually just barely started getting actual 40 hours like uh work weeks. >> Okay. >> And that was literally starting after the manager we had walked out on us. And that's a whole other thing. I thought he was a really good friend of mine. And I found out after he left that he was actually the reason I wasn't getting hours. I only got two shifts a week, two 8-hour shifts. I got um 16 hours a week at the entire time he was there. He gave me a Thursday and a Friday um night audit shift, which was 8 hours. I asked for more hours many, many times. He said ownership won't let him. He's tried to put me on the schedule I'm taking off. Um even um hearing from other employees themselves, they said that even when they had to call out or request a day off, they're like, "Well, why don't you just have Alexis do it? She only gets two shifts anyways." And he's like, "No, no, she doesn't want them." >> He was saying that? >> Yeah. The whole time I was begging him. >> Is that when this whole thing started, when you weren't getting the hours? >> I I guess so, yeah. >> You guess so? >> No, yeah. It was. >> So, you So, no, yeah. >> Yeah, I know. >> I know you. So, I'm just trying to get clarification. Yes. That would make sense. If you're not getting the hours that you're trying to, you're trying to make ends meet. >> Yeah. That makes sense. >> So, roughly, again, I don't need an exact date, roughly when did this start? >> Months A few months ago. >> Okay. Cuz I know I know I have records of accusations made from about that time frame. >> And I literally just recently got like a full 40 hours. >> How recently? >> Maybe maybe the past few months. >> Okay. >> I literally just started getting full 40-hour weeks. >> What month was it that the previous man Did he get fired or quit? >> Um he walked out on us because of a lot of stuff he was doing behind the scenes. >> Okay. >> So, basically, he walked before he could get fired, and our owner was actually doing her own really sketchy stuff with him. That's why she never went after him is because they had their own >> relationship. >> No, um not not relationship like that. Um, when it came to money and pay and >> Oh. >> Um, stuff like that, they were doing both really sketchy things. So, she never went after him because she knew she couldn't because if she did, he could just tell on her, too. So. >> About what month was that that you walked out? >> Um, October, November? >> November? >> I believe November, around there. >> And then, after he walked out, >> Um. >> you then went from the 16 hours a week to getting more time? >> No, I get a 40. Yeah, a normal like full 40-hour week. >> And that that happened right after he left? >> Yeah, because I was the one covering his shifts. >> Okay. >> Him and his nephew both were working there. And he left and took his nephew. >> Okay. >> So, we lost two people. And I was the only one willing to do 16s. >> Okay. Um. [snorts] >> And I've been doing that >> Since then? That's hard. I I So, I I recognize the difficulty of working 16-hour shifts. It is difficult. >> Yeah. >> So, I I can appreciate that. So, you lost two people, he and his nephew, and you immediately started getting full 40 after that. >> Right, yeah. He actually walked out in the middle of my shift. Um, and I was doing audit like only overnight at the time. And he walked out in the middle of it, and he was actually the next shift to come in. Like, he was supposed to be the one to relieve me in the morning. So, I ended up staying and working a 16, and I I've just done it since. >> Okay. So, if if he left in November, about what month was it that you started using other people's credit card stuff to get by? >> I I don't know. Around right around that time. >> Around that time? Okay. So, how would that work? Walk me through how that would work. >> I I don't know. I don't have an answer for that. >> What do you mean? I I I just I don't understand what do you don't have an answer for that. >> I I don't know. >> Would you take a picture of their cards with your phone? Would you write the information down? Would you take it from the computer? >> No. >> So, how would that work? >> Um I I don't have an answer for it. >> Okay. Let me see if I can rephrase that then. You said it auto fills on your phone, which I think we can both agree that it doesn't auto fill unless you manually enter it in there. >> Right. >> Correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. How would you store the information so that it does auto fill on your phone? >> it just it didn't auto fill. >> Okay. So, you manually manually put the information in there. You have to at least at one point. You have to do something. It doesn't magically appear. Correct? So, you either have to physically enter the information in by pressing the numbers on the phone, right? >> Right. >> Or sometimes you can take a photo of it and it uploads it automatically to. Just depends on what program or platform you're using, that kind of thing. So, those are two ways that you were getting that information or that they it was inputted into those devices. What I'm asking is while you were at work, how were you getting the information? >> I I just I don't have an answer. >> You don't have one or you just don't want to? >> I don't want to know at the moment. >> Okay. That's fine. Big big deal, Lexi. I can't force you to talk. But having an understanding of how and why this occurs, >> Mhm. >> it helps me relay that to the prosecutor because there is a bit of a misconception amongst the general public on how things work within law enforcement. People think that we are the ones who charge folks with crimes. We are not. We are the ones that gather the evidence and the understanding in what is happening in an incident. >> Mhm. >> We act on it and then we send it to the prosecutors, whether they're in jail or not jail, and then they read it and they're the ones responsible for putting those pieces together and then charging them with the appropriate crimes. If we mess up and forget something or don't do something. So, what I'm trying to do is honestly help you as well so that they understand how deep this goes because we have Well, I'm not going to tell you how many I know of. I'm going to let you tell me. How many different cards would you estimate that you've used in that time? >> I I don't know. >> You don't know? >> No. >> Would you have a guess? >> No. >> Okay. Describe some of the things that you purchased with those cards. >> Food. Um hygiene products. >> Mhm. >> Like that's I don't know. Do you like things like that are needed? >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> The order to Walmart that was online that I'm aware of. Uh when you order things through Walmart, what kind of things were you buying? >> Typically every time food. >> Food. Grocery items. Grocery items. Okay. And why were you using the cards to buy food? Don't overthink it. Why were you using the cards to buy food? >> Well, like you already mentioned to get by. >> Yeah. Did you have [music] money of your own to be able to afford the food at that time? >> No. >> No. How come? >> I barely get hours and the money I make I it goes into rent or like gas I have to pay to be you know dropped off at work and stuff like that. >> And I appreciate the honesty. I do. Cuz I truly believe that you were doing this to get by. Nothing that I have is saying as I explained before that this was something that you were doing to buy lavish extraordinary things. >> Mhm. >> It's all relatively small that I'm aware of thus far. Small purchases. Regardless if it's small or not each one is a crime. >> Mhm. >> I hope you understand. So each transaction that you do with somebody else's credit card is a crime. >> Mhm. >> Do you understand that? >> Yes. >> Okay. I I don't know what your your boss is going to do as far as the job. I don't know if you're going to have a job or not. I had to inform him of the situation because he's the legal owner of the business. >> And the one that came in? >> No. >> Oh. >> They don't know what's going on. >> Okay. I was going to say he he's really nice. >> His name is Rakesh. >> Yeah. >> Is that how you say that? I don't know how to Rakesh. Um I spoke to him on the phone cuz I I do know that he is he is owner. And I explained to him we need to find somebody to come in because you're using people's cards for personal gain without approval, and that's obviously not okay. The reason I ask whether or not how you got this information is important to me because what I don't know what you're doing, I can't say one way or the other, is whether you're cloning the cards and you're making [music] cards. >> I didn't even know that's a thing, honestly. >> It is. >> Okay, yeah, I I didn't even know that. >> And they they have people in your positions all over that that have access to these things. Like they have access to people's credit cards by getting information from them right at the time they check in and need a card on file so on and so forth. You have access to their name, their driver's license, their date of birth, their uh credit card number, everything you need to be involved in fraudulent schemes, like significantly. Now, I'm not saying that's what you're doing. I I truly don't believe that. >> that was a thing. >> Sure, I understand. But what makes me concerned is the fact that you won't explain or you don't want to explain how you're getting this information and why cuz then it takes me back to my detective days. I'm thinking, okay, she's part of something larger where you're giving this information to other people. How are you getting it? Why are you taking it? Is just you? Is it other people? Are you pulling it from the internet? Are you pulling it from the wreckage? Are you taking photos? Are you texting it to other people? There's That's what I'm concerned with. >> Right. >> That's why I ask these questions because we have to be accountable for all that information and you possess possessed other people's information that's detrimental to their lives. That can ruin credit and everything else. >> Mhm. >> Canceling cards that they have payments to. The impact for you >> Mhm. >> on what you did also impacts them in a negative way. So, it's my job to try to run down to what end this is going to impact them and how to help them as well while helping you and your kid because ultimately it's the prosecutor that's going to read this and go, "Okay, was she cooperative or was she not cooperative? Why did she do this? You know, is she involved with somebody else?" That kind of thing. So, if you can provide me a reason that you don't want to share that information, that's fine. If you just flat out don't, there's nothing else I can do about that. >> I just don't want to bring anybody else into it. >> I'm not saying that you have to bring anybody else into it. >> I don't know how it started though or >> I believe you. >> how it even came up in the first place cuz I never did It's not like I've done it my whole life. It came up >> you. >> with a what? >> I believe you. >> Yeah. >> on that. You had to have learned this from someone. So, if you don't want to provide that information, again, I can't force you. >> Mhm. >> But if you know that it's actively still going on, is that and that person is still employed there and this is actively going on? >> No, he he was the one that left. He was the manager that left. >> Okay. >> And that's why um I don't even know if Rakesh knows that he was doing it. I do believe um Sugandha, the other owner >> What Is that Rakesh's wife or >> it's his daughter. >> Okay. >> it's his daughter. >> Okay. And what's her name? >> Sugandha. >> Sugandha? Okay. >> I do believe she knows, maybe not, but I do believe she knows that he was that she never elaborated because they were doing their own thing. >> Yeah. So, I'm not going to ask for details about what he did. What I'm curious of, again, is how you got that information. So, if you were getting that information from him, which I don't think you were because >> No. >> Yeah, not now because he wasn't here when >> He walked out, right? >> Yeah, when when the instance that I'm aware of, he wasn't really employed anymore. [music] >> Right. >> So, he had obviously taught you how to do this prior to him leaving so that you knew how. >> It wasn't like a a teaching me something. The way he was doing things, I I've no idea the system. he has done the opera system or worked with it for 15 20 plus years. So he knows all the ins and outs and everything. I don't. >> Sure. >> He didn't ever show me that. I didn't care to know. I probably couldn't even wrap my head around it. It was >> You had a name for it. What was it called? Opera? >> Opera. It's just like the name of the the system the hotel runs. >> Do they have long guests and all that? >> It's like booking reservations, everything. >> Okay, and you don't deal with that. >> No, I I mean that's the system we use. >> Okay. >> I'm just saying he had like 15 or 20 years experience operating it. So he knew everything. Like things only a GM would know, which is what he was. >> Okay. >> Like none of us have access to as far as he did. >> All right. At some point you learned how to do this. >> It wasn't a learning thing. Like he never never told me the way he was doing it. He just He would just type it into the comments. >> Mhm. Type what into the comments? >> Information. >> Okay. Of the card from the card. The information from the card in the comments field of the booking reservation. >> Right. >> So then he would have access to that at a later time by looking at that information. >> Right. >> Am I getting that? >> Right. >> What are you picking up or laying down? Okay. So and you watched him do that, right? So then it's not like, "Hey, watch what I'm doing. I'm teaching you something. Wink wink." Was it something like that? >> No. I mean like I said we became really good friends or at least I thought. I thought like we we hung out together. Like we went to dinner together. We like had drinks together. I thought we were friends, but the whole time it's like he kind of just set me up to fail. >> Yeah. >> By that, by I loaned him money, which also didn't make sense to me cuz he was a GM. He was salary. I got two shifts a week at minimum wage. And then just everything else it's like he wasn't my friend. >> No, and that's that's sad to hear. So did you pick up what he was doing then and then realize that he was getting away with it and just thought you could, too? >> I guess, yeah. >> Yeah, cuz I mean, I don't know who he is at this point. I mean, I could find out, but I don't I know that's not what you're trying to do and I respect that. But at some point, you learned that process and then you took over that process as well, I guess you could say. Uh just entering the information in the comments field. Is that accurate? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Washington Revised Code Section 9.56.040 defines second-degree theft as taking property valued between $750 and $5,000. It is a Class C felony carrying up to 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 in fines. The keyword in the statute is each. Each unauthorized transaction is an independent count. Lexi admitted she could not even estimate how many cards she had used over several months. That uncertainty is not protection. It is exposure to an open-ended number of felony charges. Washington Revised Code Section 9.35.020 covers identity theft. The statute prohibits knowingly obtaining or using another person's financial information to commit any crime. Every time Lexi typed a guest's card number into that hotel booking system and used it later, she hit both statutes simultaneously. The method she described entering credit card data into the comments field of the Opera Property Management System during guest check-in is a textbook insider access fraud. The hotel's own software became the instrument of the crime. >> Now, is that something you do with every customer? >> No. >> How would you select which customers to use? >> The It was random. >> Just It was random? >> Yeah. >> And did you have a process as cuz I think I know the answer to this, but how often would you use a card before you quit using it? >> I I don't know. >> When would you stop using a card that wasn't yours? >> I don't know. >> Do you understand what I'm asking? >> Well, yeah. >> Okay. So, is that one that you just don't want to answer? Is that the I don't know? >> I just don't know when. >> Okay. Then let me rephrase that. If you had the card, say I check in, you write down my information on the comments field, I check in as a guest, I stay, I leave, a couple days goes by, you have my you you have access to my information, right? You wrote it down the comments field, so you have my credit card and the the security code and the expiration date, my name, you have all the everything you need. And then you need groceries for you and the kiddo. I'm going to use this card. So, I'm going to go to Walmart and I'm going to buy food and groceries and hygiene stuff at Walmart. And I make a list, I go get it. And I need KFC. I'm going to go get some KFC. And then Domino's. Right? Like tonight you needed food, so you used the card at Domino's. When How long would you keep using that card? Until it got deactivated? Until you got scared that it would get caught on? What was the general rule of thumb for you, personally? >> There wasn't like a a general rule of thumb, no. >> No? Okay. And how many times would or how many cards do you think you did in total? >> I I don't know. >> Okay. Does anybody else have access to your phone? >> No. >> Is it password protected? >> Yes. >> It is. And what is the passcode for that? >> I don't want to give my passcode. >> Okay. I'm I'm I've got to ask. >> Yeah. >> Cuz what's going to end up happening is I'll be seizing your cell phone and I will be applying for a search warrant to get into the phone and identify just how many cards you have on file here in your cell. [music] So, I I believe that you are being honest with me for most things. And I do appreciate that. And I understand your hesitation to speak about others. I'm not here trying to jam you up to get anybody else in trouble. But if you know that this is occurring within that company, within your job, that other people in your position are also doing this. >> Well, he's not there anymore. >> Right, but I I know if there's other people. That's why I said if there's other people. I know you had mentioned that in the previous game doing that. And are you aware of anybody else doing this that's currently there? >> No, currently not. >> Okay. Because that could help you if if you knew who those were so we could come get that to stop as well. >> Mhm. >> Okay. I know you have it sounds like cuz when we were going through your bag looking for guns and what have you, it looked like you had Domino's cards in there. And I'm assuming tonight you according to Domino's you ordered that online. Is that correct? >> Mhm. >> Through an app? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. This This is your time, Lexie, to speak your piece. To to tell me and the prosecutor and whoever else what's going on in your side of this story cuz there's always two sides. >> Mhm. >> And that's what I'm here to do is to get your side of things and why. >> Mhm. >> And this is your time. >> Yeah, I don't know what else you mean. Like what are you wanting me to >> Is there anything else that you think of that you you think I should know? No? >> No. >> Okay. So, right now you are you have a warrant pre-arrest. >> Mhm. >> And then you're also being charged with theft second degree, which is a felony and for each count that we can prove that you conducted is going to be its own independent charge. >> Okay. >> So, think how many of those you've done over the past couple of months. >> Mhm. >> And when we start going back, how many of those will total. Okay. As we go through that, I want your honest honesty here. Is there going to be any outlandish purchases that I don't know about? >> No. >> What do you think the highest dollar value is that you you charged to a card that you can think of? >> Couple hundred. >> Okay. And what would have that been for? >> Groceries. >> Okay. >> Like a the week's of or the week's worth of dinner. >> Yeah, okay. Cuz that's all I'm aware of as of right now. Just so you know. But that doesn't mean obviously when we keep digging into this, that's not to say that we're going to find something more and then you knew about it and you just didn't want to tell me. >> Mhm. >> Right? But you're telling me now as we sit here that it's been a couple hundred bucks for groceries. >> Mhm. >> I've got two final questions for you, and that is, is everything that you told me tonight done freely, voluntarily, without any threats or promises from me? >> Mhm. >> I need a verbal yes or no. >> Yes. >> The last question is, uh is everything that you told me tonight true and accurate to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury in the state of Washington? [music] >> Yes. >> Very good. All right. What we're going to do now is we're going to go over to the jail. I got to put handcuffs back on you, and there you will be booked in. You will be able to make a phone call. It sounds like uh the reason I had to pause there, it sounds like your dad has already gotten wind that you've been arrested. Not quite sure how. What's your dad's name? >> Gary. >> Yep. So, he called our dispatch asking to know, and I don't know how he would have known because nobody knows except for us. So, um you'll be able to call him when you get to the the jail, okay? Go ahead and stand on up for me. I'll put the handcuffs back on you. >> Washington Revised Code Section 9A.52.1 to 10, computer trespass, is also potentially in play here. Accessing a business system to extract financial data for personal use without authorization can meet the threshold. Prosecutors will decide whether to add it. Sergeant Potter's interview technique deserves real analysis. He deployed humanization early explicitly, noting she was buying groceries and movie tickets, not luxury goods. That is not kindness. It is a calculated method to reduce defensiveness and open the door to disclosure. Expressing empathy is lawful. Promising leniency is not. The line between those two is the voluntariness test under Colorado versus Connolly from 1986. Potter stayed on the right side of that line. He never offered a deal, never implied charges would be reduced. He also correctly declined to coerce the phone passcode. When Lexi refused, he stated plainly that he would apply for a search warrant. That is the constitutionally correct path. The Fifth Amendment protects against compelled self-incrimination, and a passcode qualifies as testimonial in most circuits. At the close of the interview, Potter asked two formal questions. Were the statements given freely and voluntarily, and were they true and accurate under penalty of perjury? Lexie answered yes to both. That on-camera confirmation is a prosecutorial asset that is difficult to walk back later. Sergeant Potter receives an A minus. Miranda compliance was exact. Procedural steps were documented in sequence, and the interview technique extracted a detailed confession without a single moment of coercion or misrepresentation of the law. The minor deduction is for asking about the phone passcode before a warrant was secured. Not a violation, but not best practice, either. Lexie receives a C. She complied physically, told the truth, and appropriately refused to name accomplices. All credit to her for that, but she waived Miranda without requesting counsel, and then gave a full, detailed, on-camera confession spanning her method, her motive, and the duration of the scheme. An attorney would almost certainly have advised silence. Three lessons here, and they apply well beyond this case. First, the right to remain silent is not the same as the right to stay out of trouble. Silence cannot be used against you. A confession can. Those are very different legal positions, and most people choose the wrong one in the moment. Second, sympathetic circumstances do not change the charge. Lexie was financially desperate. That is clear and documented on camera. Washington law does not recognize financial hardship as a defense to theft. Motive matters at sentencing, not at charging. Third, insider access fraud is treated seriously precisely because the criminal uses trust as the mechanism. Hotel guests hand over their financial data as a condition of checking in. The law, both the theft statute and the identity theft statute, reflects the severity of violating that trust. From an investigative standpoint, this case illustrates why custodial interviews should happen in a controlled environment, on camera, with Miranda on the record first. Every step Potter took created a document trail. That trail is now the prosecution's foundation. The outcome of this case remains unknown at the time of this analysis. What is visible is this: The evidentiary record is strong. A voluntary, recorded, Miranda-compliant confession, digital [clears throat] transaction logs, a named method, and multiple identified victims. Whatever happens in court, the groundwork was laid correctly. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to cover in the comments below. 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