Hemet Woman Arrest on Fraud Charges

HEMET - A Hemet woman on federal probation for bank fraud has posted bail on charges of impersonating a peace officer and trying to extort money from a Moreno Valley massage spa, records showed today.

Lakeisha Michelle Butler, 29, was arrested Thursday at Wal-Mart shopping center in Hemet and booked on suspicion of felonious attempted extortion and a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a peace officer. She admitted her alleged role in the attempted extortion and impersonating an officer, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Holmes said.

Butler was released Friday after posting $5,000 bail, records showed. Last month, the owner of the Charming Spa in Moreno Valley told investigators she received a number of text messages from Butler, who identified herself as a detective with the Moreno Valley Special Code Enforcement Team. Butler allegedly threatened to issue arrest warrants for the owner and to shut down the spa unless Butler was paid $7,000 to expunge the files, Holmes said.

Sheriff's detectives learned Butler and a friend were going to be at the Wal-Mart in Hemet. Butler along with her friend were detained and Butler was subsequently arrested, Holmes said.

Butler's friend was not identified pending further investigation. Butler's federal probation expires in November but it's unclear what impact -- if any -- her recent arrest will have on her matter. Butler was also suspected of setting up a web site to solicit donations for a fictitious child called ''Kayla'' afflicted with cancer, Holmes said.