A Blackshear woman has been arrested in connection with the theft of funds from the Pierce County High School Competition Cheer Booster Program.
Kristen Ansleigh Godwin, 38, of Blackshear, was taken into custody Tuesday morning, Dec. 9, according to Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright. Godwin has been charged with one count of felony theft by taking.
The incident came to light during a routine review of school booster accounts, which revealed financial discrepancies within the booster program’s records. An internal inquiry by school officials led to a formal criminal investigation by the Blackshear Police Department.
Investigators determined that approximately $10,000 in privately raised booster funds had been unlawfully taken. These funds were raised through booster club activities and did not involve any public or taxpayer money. Evidence indicates the funds were misappropriated through failure to deposit cash from fundraising events, unauthorized transfers of booster club money into personal accounts, personal use of a booster club debit card, and improper cash withdrawals.
The case remains under active investigation.
