Valley Spring, CA…On February 1, 2021 at approximately 3:00 PM, a Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned as liaison to the Probation Department and probation officers observed suspicious behavior by two persons in a parked vehicle in the 100 block of Hwy 26, Valley Springs (near Senders Market Ace Hardware). Upon contact, the two occupants of the vehicle were identified as Jessica James Brauer (29 years of age from San Andreas) and Timothy L Potts (46 years old). Both Jessica and Timothy were familiar to the deputy and probation officers due to them being on probation.

During the initial contact, Timothy was found in possession of an illegal baton. In addition to the baton being illegal, it was also a violation of the terms of his probation. Amongst the items immediately visible in the car were several credit cards that displayed various names, none of which matched the names of the vehicle’s occupants.
During this contact, Jessica admitted to probation officers that she possessed methamphetamine. Deputies later located 11 grams of Methamphetamine and two smoking pipes.

Both Timothy and Jessica were placed under arrest for the new law violations and violation of the terms of their probation. They were taken into custody without incident.

Deputies continued searching the vehicle and located several blank checks as well as numerous fictitious checks made out to suspect Timothy. These checks varied in amounts; however, the total value was over $10,000.

Additionally, numerous social security numbers, and private personal information for both citizens and businesses were located. Several altered driver’s license cards were located, and throughout the investigation it was determined that Timothy is in communication with many victims of additional identity theft related crimes. Timothy is specifically on felony probation for identity theft with strict terms stating he is not to possess any access cards displaying another person’s name. Additional terms stated that Timothy is not allowed to possess the personal or identifying information of another whether real or fictitious without prior approval of the Probation Department.

Investigators from the Calaveras County Narcotics Enforcement Unit were requested to respond to the scene and eventually assumed lead in the investigation. The investigation will continue over the next several weeks with efforts focusing on contacting and interviewing the many victims.

Jessica Brauer was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11377 H&S Possession of a Controlled Substance, 11378 H&S Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, 11379 (A) H&S Transport Controlled Substance, 11364 H&S Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 476 PC Forgery Fictitious Checks, 484 G (B) PC Theft of Bank Card, 530.5(A) PC Gain Credit Using Other Identification and 1203.2(a) PC Violation of Probation. She is being held with no bail due to the violation of probation charge.

Timothy Potts was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 22210 PC Possession of Illegal Club, 11377 H&S Possession of a Controlled Substance, 11378 H&S Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, 11379 (A) H&S Transport Controlled Substance, 11364 H&S Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 476 PC Forgery Fictitious Checks, 484 G (B) PC Theft of Bank Card, 530.5(A) PC Gain Credit Using Other Identification and 1203.2(a) PC Violation of Probation. He is being held with no bail due to the violation of probation charge.

This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available.