Ark Valley News - Cheer coach charged with felony theft

Cheer coach charged with felony theft
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: January 29, 2015

The former director of the Valley Center Junior Cheer Program, who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the program, made first appearance in Sedgwick County District Court this week.

Tabitha M. Bates, 35, was arrested at the Valley View apartment complex Jan. 22 and booked into jail on a charge of felony theft.

Bates' boyfriend, Russell D. Hartlein, also was arrested on a charge of felony theft.

They appeared in court Jan. 26 and have been released on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Feb. 10.

Last week's arrest came after a three-month Valley Center police investigation into what happened with the more than $20,000 worth of program funds.

"It was time-consuming," said Det. Jay Grayson.

Bates and Hartlein are accused of taking the fees and fundraising funds from cheerleaders and instead of purchasing equipment, using the money for themselves.

Police said 68 children were involved in the program, which is not affiliated with the school district or the recreation commission.

A total of 43 families are listed as victims in the case.

Grayson said the families paid for uniforms and other cheerleading equipment, such as shoes, wind jackets and bags as well as pictures. Many of them did not receive at least some of the equipment they paid for.

"Not everyone received the same things," Grayson said. "We had to talk to each one of them individually."

If Bates and Hartlein are convicted, the district attorney's office will work with each victim to determine restitution.

Red flags started going up for parents after they asked Bates where the equipment was, police said.

"Some of the parents had been asking for a long time," Grayson said.

They contacted police in October. By then, police said, the alleged embezzlement had been taking place for about seven months.

Sgt. Lloyd Newman said police took a proactive approach, setting up meetings with the parents. Police had to be sure the case was not merely a civil dispute.

"We helped some of the parents draft a letter to send to the suspects demanding their merchandise or payment," Newman said.

The move gave police an opportunity to establish whether the suspects intended to keep the money.

After three months of investigation, police signed a complaint and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Bates and Hartlein Jan. 22. Police found Bates near her residence at 131 S. Colby and then waited there until Hartlein arrived later.