More than $80,000 raised for Rancho Cordova Little League's spring 2025 fundraiser is gone, and police say a 45-year-old local DJ is at the center of the missing money.
League staff told officers they uncovered what appeared to be a fundraising scheme while going over accounts tied to the upcoming event. Investigators identified the suspect as 45-year-old Joseph Eta. After prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant, officers tracked Eta to Modesto, arrested him there, and booked him into the Sacramento County Main Jail on allegations of forgery and grand theft. His bail was set at $75,000, and officials say he later bonded out. Eta was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday for arraignment while detectives continue to dig into the case.
According to the Rancho Cordova Police Department, league staff spotted irregularities while reconciling the spring fundraiser accounts and called police. Detectives from RCPD's Crime Suppression Unit, working with Sacramento County Sheriff's Office hi-tech crimes detectives, concluded that more than $80,000 had been embezzled and spent. The department's post identifies Eta as the suspect, states that the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office issued the arrest warrant, and reports that officers arrested him in Modesto "without incident." Investigators believe Eta may have targeted other organizations and are asking anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
Local Leagues Rely On Small-Dollar Fundraising
Neighborhood baseball leagues typically keep the lights on with snack-bar sales, modest sponsorships, and a handful of big annual fundraisers that cover uniforms, umpires, and field maintenance. A hit of more than $80,000 can gut those plans and even threaten a season.
Embezzlement from youth-focused nonprofits is not rare. In one recent example, the First Tee of San Joaquin accused its former director of taking roughly $85,000, as reported by CBS Sacramento. Volunteers and board members say that when money like this disappears, it is hard to rebuild and often triggers audits and tighter financial controls.
How To Contact Police With Tips
Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about the Rancho Cordova case, or who believes their group might also have been affected, to reach out.
Tipsters can call RCPD's non-emergency tip line at 916-874-TIPS (8477) or submit anonymous tips through Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers and the P3 Tips app. According to the Rancho Cordova Police Department, community members can also contact the department's Service Center at 916-875-9600 for help with reports and follow-up. Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous online submissions, and the organization notes that tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Legal Next Steps
Eta is charged with forgery and grand theft and was arraigned Thursday, officials said. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office obtained the arrest warrant and will handle prosecution.
All charges are allegations at this stage, and Eta is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The investigation remains active, and detectives say more information could surface as potential additional victims come forward.
