62-year-old Fallbrook woman in custody to avoid prosecution for theft of $122,000

FALLBROOK - A 62-year-old Fallbrook woman was in custody today accused of fleeing the U.S. Virgin Islands to avoid being prosecuted for the theft of $122,000 from her real estate clients, authorities said.

Rosemary Sauter-Frett was arrested a week ago today at her Fallbrook home by the FBI with assistance from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth announced in a statement.

A complaint filed with the District Court of the Virgin Islands dated March 2010 alleges that Sauter-Frett fled St. Thomas after being accused of stealing $122,000 from customers of her company who believed their funds were being held securely in an escrow account.

Prior to the accusations, Sauter-Frett was a successful Realtor and had the largest realty office on St. Thomas, according to the Virgin Islands Daily News, which also reported that she ran an accounting office and a restaurant- bar.

Sauter-Frett is scheduled to appear in federal court next Thursday, Foxworth said.