CHIEFLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A highschool cheerleading coach was arrested for stealing funds from the Chiefland Cheerleading crew, the Levy County Sheriff’s Workplace introduced.
Directors from the Chiefland Center/Excessive College reported suspected theft in December of 2023 after funds from a fundraiser didn’t match the anticipated earnings when the deposit was made, LCSO stated.
Megan Del Castillo, 34, was the coach for the cheerleading crew and was accountable for accumulating and making deposits into the crew accounts after fundraising had ended.
In line with LCSO, Detective Rob Bowers met with directors and monetary officers of the Levy County College Board and commenced an audit. In the course of the preliminary inquiries, it was believed the funds lacking estimated over $11,000.
In February 2024 Detective Bowers met with Del Castillo who at first denied taking the cash, however after the assembly, she modified her assertion and admitted to holding some cash, however nothing near $11,000.
Del Castillo cooperated with Detective Bowers and provided documentation to assist with the investigation in addition to participated in a number of conferences, LCSO stated.
Not one of the paperwork given had been capable of make clear the discrepancies and in April 2024 she couldn’t be positioned by Detective Bowers for additional remark.
In November 2024 documentation from monetary establishments was obtained and a forensic audit of the fundraising accounts and the accounts owned by Del Castillo was performed, deputies stated.
Detective Bowers and the finance division had been capable of decide $11,493.90 of funds from cheer charges, fundraisers, and bus charges recognized to be delivered to Del Castillo weren’t deposited, based on LCSO.
The cash taken was believed for use for Del Castillo’s private achieve.
Whereas making an attempt to find Del Castillo, Detective Bowers found she had moved from the world and couldn’t contact her.
Detective Bowers secured a warrant for Del Castillo’s arrest in January 2025 for scheme to defraud.
Del Castillo was positioned in Lake Placid, Florida, and was arrested by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Workplace, based on LCSO.
Her bond is ready at $10,000.