The Peaster Baseball League season is now in jeopardy following the arrest of the president of the organization who is accused of misusing about $10,000 of the league's funds.
Parker County authorities arrested 41-year-old Noe Joe McKinzie on Thursday afternoon for allegedly making withdrawals and purchase from the league's account that totaled up to $10,000 since January 2014.
As of Thursday evening, McKinzie was charged with misapplication of fiduciary property and remained in jail with no bond.
The investigation began when board members of the Peaster Baseball Association reported suspicious activity in the league account, including large sums of missing funds.
Sheriff's investigators said McKinzie had access to the accounts and created a debit card for the league's general account which he allegedly used for personal transactions and cash withdrawals.
McKinzie allegedly implicated himself in the crimes by telling investigators he took a $3,000 withdrawal from the account as down payment on a new truck. According to investigators, McKinzie also admitted to making a payment from the account for his mobile phone bill and to buy fast food.
Board members said McKinzie's alleged actions left the league in debt for thousands of dollars, forcing them to cancel the Little League's 2014 spring season.
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In a news release, Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said the situation is heartbreaking 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."
As of Friday morning, Peaster Baseball Association officials had not released information on how community members can help the league.
