Jennifer Stricker, a 53-year-old former office manager and bookkeeper for Daniel’s Trading, LLC, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of theft of property valued between $150,000 and $300,000. The trial concluded on May 9, 2024, following a detailed examination of her extensive embezzlement activities spanning several years.
Stricker had been with Daniel’s Trading for over five years, where she had full control over the company’s financial accounts, including transferring funds from eBay sales into the company’s bank account. In October 2019, the company owner, Daniel Perez, noticed troubling discrepancies that left the business struggling to pay bills and meet payroll obligations. Concerned, he sought help from his accountant to investigate the financial situation.
During the accountant's review, it was quickly discovered that Stricker had made numerous unauthorized transfers from the company's PayPal account into her personal PayPal account. Over a period of three years, a total of 318 unauthorized transfers were identified, amounting to $178,770. Investigators found that Stricker had diverted these funds to fuel her gambling addiction.
Following her initial guilty plea, the prosecution began gathering more evidence. They learned that Stricker, while awaiting the resolution of her case, continued to prey upon other businesses. On May 10, 2024, the prosecution received a report from her current employer, Troy Ballenger of TriStar Repair & Construction and TriStar Roofing, who discovered that Stricker had embezzled at least $314,000 from his company.
Further investigation revealed that Stricker had also previously embezzled at least $167,461.07 from another business over two and a half years. This combined theft totaled $773,000. The State presented evidence that a significant portion of this money was embezzled while she was on bond for her theft from Daniel’s Trading.
During the punishment hearing, testimonies from all three business owners highlighted the impact of Stricker's actions on their companies, detailing the financial strain and trust issues caused by her deceit. The evidence showcased her blatant disregard for the law and the trust placed in her by her employers.
Judge Gary Stephens, after considering the extensive evidence and the impact of Stricker's actions on the victims, sentenced her to 14 years in prison. Stricker was not given probation, reflecting the seriousness of her crimes and her continued illegal activities while awaiting trial. The sentence underscores the legal system's response to financial crimes and the importance of accountability in such cases.
Defendant: Jennifer Stricker, 53, of Dallas
Lead Prosecutor: Andrea Ingram
2nd Chairs: Melissa Meyers, Steve Fawcett
DA Investigator: Seancory Patton
DA Forensic Analyst: DeAnna Debenport
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department