California Woman and Maplewood Woman Charged in Dakota County Identity Theft and Fraud Investigation
Published: May 22, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Two women are facing felony identity theft and financial transaction card fraud charges in Dakota County following an Apple Valley investigation that began with a report of unpaid hotel rooms and later uncovered what investigators allege was a larger identity fraud operation involving stolen personal information, fraudulent credit cards, and forged checks.
According to criminal complaints filed in Dakota County District Court, 42-year-old Arielle Castillo of Lynwood, California, and 41-year-old Jessica Marie Davila of Maplewood, Minnesota, were each charged with one count of identity theft and one count of financial transaction card fraud. Both cases were filed by summons, with first appearances scheduled for June 23, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Hastings.
According to the complaints, Apple Valley police responded on May 18, 2023, to a hotel in Apple Valley after employees reported that three rooms rented since May 13 had not been properly paid for and that credit cards used for the reservations had been flagged as fraudulent or not fully approved. Officers identified the occupants as Castillo and Davila and noted that several children were also present in the hotel room. Investigators reported seeing items believed to be controlled substances, notebooks and binders containing banking information, multiple credit cards with different names, and documents allegedly tied to fraudulent financial activity.
The complaints state that Castillo told officers she believed a third party was paying for the rooms and denied knowledge of the documents, while Davila reportedly told officers she was unaware of any identity theft activity and believed Castillo was handling payment arrangements. Police later obtained search warrants for the hotel room, electronic devices, and social media accounts connected to the investigation. During the search, officers allegedly recovered multiple documents containing personal information belonging to other individuals, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, banking information, and credit cards.
Investigators also reportedly discovered a laptop displaying personal data connected to another alleged victim, including contact information, relatives, and property records.
According to the complaints, investigators determined that many of the affected individuals had previously used a tax preparation service in South St. Paul. Police learned from the business that a truck containing old tax documents had reportedly been stolen during an office move. The investigation also uncovered alleged social media messages between Castillo and Davila discussing the use of other people’s identities and financial information to make purchases, reserve hotel rooms, and activate gift cards, according to court records.
Investigators allege the messages included discussions about making smaller purchases to avoid fraud alerts, using another person’s identification, obtaining a credit card reader, and “washing” checks, a term investigators stated is commonly associated with check forgery.
According to the complaints, officers ultimately identified more than a dozen names and personal identities allegedly connected to fraudulent activity discovered during the investigation.
If convicted, each felony charge carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, according to the complaints.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations contained in the complaints are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Written by: Will Wight
