Flashing lights on top of a police car.
After a forensic investigation, the Willcox Police Department charged Katrina Brewer, 34, with theft and embezzlement. Brewer is a Willcox Youth Football and Cheer League board member and is the league’s treasurer.
“Ms. Brewer admitted to taking the money to pay bills, stating to the effect that she has family members living with her in the home and it extended her beyond means, we believe there were other things purchased outside of bills, we are still investigating the financial records in hopes to identify other purchases,” said Willcox Police Chief Dale Hadfield in an email.
The Willcox Youth Football and Cheer League said that Brewer stole and spent nearly the entire balance from the league’s football account over the past three weeks.
“This is extremely disheartening to our board,” said the league in a September 1 press release posted on the league’s Facebook page. “These funds have been raised through generous donations of community members, local businesses, and fees paid by our players.”
The press release stated that approximately $26,000 was stolen in total; roughly $18,000 was removed from the league’s PNC account, $5,000 was removed from the league’s Cochise Credit Union account and $2,600 of membership fees paid for by parents was also removed.
The league said that three weeks ago, they decided to transfer their funds into a single bank account. However, they claim that the league’s treasurer began transferring funds into a Venmo account instead of to the league’s account with the Cochise Credit Union.
“The Treasurer then proceeded to use the league credit card to pay for personal expenses,” the league’s press release stated. The president of the league was notified about unusual transactions to the league’s account by the credit union.
Despite the loss of funds, the league has committed to continuing its season and has rallied to fundraise through GoFundMe. So far, the league has raised $7,115 from 96 donations.
Chief Hadfield said that the department did not arrest Brewer although the department stated in the press release that there is probable cause.
“There were several factors,” said Hadfield. “1 being the Cochise County Jail Willcox (a satellite jail) is closed and remains closed due to staffing issues in the Cochise County Jail system. The trip to book a person into the Cochise County Jail system has to be done in Bisbee AZ, which is about a 1 and 1/2 hours drive time, not including the time for booking. This takes an officer off the streets for the better part of half a shift.”
Hadfield continued that Brewer’s medical complications require medical clearance before she can be transported to the Cochise County Jail.
“Ms. Brewer has reported ongoing medical conditions, which need specific treatments and she would need to be medically cleared, adding more time to the officer being tied up,” Hadfield said. “Ms. Brewer had no prior criminal history, is established in the town, has a residence, has family here, and was not considered a flight risk.”
Moving forward, Hadfield said that a felony complaint will be generated and the case will be presented to a Grand Jury for indictment. The Cochise County Superior Court does not yet have a court date for Brewer.
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