In February 2022, deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, South County Station, started an investigation into the West Valley Junior Eagles youth football organization. At that time, a leadership change within the organization was occurring, and the former president of the organization, 39-year-old Anthony Aitken of Cottonwood, was stepping down. Anthony’s wife, 35-year-old Amalia “Mollie” Aitken of Cottonwood, was also stepping down from her leadership role within the Junior Eagles Cheerleaders, During this transitional period, Anthony refused to provide the new board members with the financial information for the organization. After the board members were forced to circumvent Anthony, they located several suspicious transactions in the financial records.
Deputies authored search warrants to obtain copies of the organization’s financial records and of the suspect’s financial records. It was discovered Anthony and Amalia used funds from the organization to make payments for a personal bankruptcy and made numerous unapproved cash withdrawals. During the examination of the financial records and further investigation, deputies located over $25,000 worth of unauthorized expenditures. As a result of this investigation, arrest warrants were issued for both Anthony and Amalia. Both have been charged with two counts of 503 PC, Embezzlement, two counts of 487 PC, Grand theft, and one count of 484 PC, Theft by use of access card.
On February 28, 2023, deputies contacted and arrested Amalia at her residence without incident. When Amalia was arrested, deputies learned Anthony was out of town. Deputies made contact with Anthony, advising him of the investigation and his wife’s arrest. Anthony has stated he will be turning himself in to the Shasta County Jail when he returns to Shasta County.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has information regarding this investigation to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office at 530-245-6000.
