Dierks woman pleads guilty to Booster club theft

A Dierks woman has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from her school’s booster club during her time as the organization’s treasurer.

Kaci Quinn, 40, entered the guilty plea on June 21 in the Howard County Circuit Court before Judge Tom Cooper.

Quinn had been charged with two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card or debit card and one count of theft of property. As part of her plea bargain, the two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card were dropped.

Quinn embezzled funds from the Dierks Booster Club while serving as the club treasurer from January 2022 until January 2023. The missing funds were discovered in January of last year and an investigation was initiated by a special agent with the Arkansas State Police.

According to the affidavit, booster club funds were being transferred to the personal account of Kaci Quinn. Those funds were allegedly used to pay Quinn’s personal credit card bills. Investigators also accused Quinn of using stolen funds to purchase personal items from Amazon, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and other department stores. Some of the items reportedly purchased were baby formula, baby clothing and beer.

In all, investigators found approximately $52,000 in missing funds from the Dierks Booster Club.

Quinn has been sentenced to 120 days already served in jail as well as five years probation. She was also ordered to pay $1,500 in fines in addition to court costs and restitution totaling $28,000.