A former Parkston High School head football coach is accused of embezzling roughly $9,000 from the Parkston football team.
29-year-old Tony Axtell of Sioux Falls faces a felony grand theft charge. If convicted, the maximum punishment is 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine plus restitution.
Authorities say that the embezzlement occurred between August and October. Parkston Superintendent Shane McIntosh says that the money supposedly stolen was raised by the football team and wasn’t school district funds.
McIntosh says Axtell stepped down from his head coaching role in late April. A warrant for Axtell’s arrest was issued in June, but it hasn’t yet been returned.
Axtell’s lawyer declined to comment.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
