Little League Theft Case Leads To Peaster Man’s Arrest 2-27-2014

FEBRUARY 27, 2014.

PRESS RELEASE

Parker County Sheriff’s investigators obtained a warrant Thursday for the arrest of the president of a local little league.

Weatherford-Parker County Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team members arrested Noe Joe McKinzie, 41, late Thursday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2014.

Peaster Baseball Association board members contacted the Sheriff’s Office earlier this month to report suspicious activity with the league’s account, including large sums of missing funds from the league’s checking and savings accounts.

Sheriff’s investigators discovered McKinzie had access to the accounts, making withdraws and purchases for his own use, totaling approximately $10,000, since January.

Peaster Baseball League board members reported McKinzie created a debit card for the league’s general account and began using it for personal transactions as well as taking cash withdraws, leaving the league in debt for several thousand dollars.

McKinzie implicated himself in the crimes to Sheriffs’ investigators, admitting to taking a $3,000 withdraw in a single occasion, using it for a down payment on a new truck, along with making numerous additional transactions and withdraws for his use including cell phone bills and fast food.

McKinzie is charged with misapplication of fiduciary property. As of Thursday evening, McKinzie remained incarcerated. His bond has not been set.

Board members were forced to discontinue the league’s activity, cancelling the little league’s 2014 spring season due to the lack of funding after the incidents.

Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said the situation is heart-breaking for the children.

“They are young and cannot comprehend what has happened,” Fowler said. “They only know they can’t play. The board members regretfully made a formal statement notifying the parents about the investigation and the inability to continue with the season.”

Fowler added he hopes the community can come together so the children can continue in the league and play ball.