While the Holy Fire was burning last August in Orange and Riverside Counties in Southern California, a woman posted requests for donations on several social media sites. Ashley Bemis was arrested this week on multiple felony counts for collecting thousands of dollars worth of cash, food, and equipment that she said was going to be used to help firefighters working on the fire.
Ms. Bemis, 28, of San Juan Capistrano, posted pictures of herself and her fictitious firefighter husband asking for donations. She asked for items she claimed would benefit the firefighters working alongside her husband battling the blaze that ultimately burned more than 23,000 acres in the Cleveland National Forest and destroyed 18 structures.
After the social media posts, multiple individuals and companies in San Clemente and the surrounding area contacted Ms. Bemis to donate. She is suspected of collecting more than $2,000 in donations, both cash and items like socks, sports drinks, water, and camping equipment, from individuals, stores and companies.
A captain with a local fire agency became suspicious of the requests and contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to investigate. Investigators interviewed victims and obtained search warrants for Ms. Bemis’ vehicle, residence and garages.
San Clemente Police Services investigators also became aware, through additional social media posts from members of the community, of past fraudulent activity by Ms. Bemis, including multiple prior faked pregnancies in an attempt to illegally obtain money from unsuspecting victims.
She is being held on $50,000 bail.
I would hope this person gets the maximum sentence. She is a disturbed individual.