Oakdale youth cheer coach arrested in embezzlement of club’s funds, police say
Escalon police have arrested the head coach of the Oakdale Inferno Cheer on suspicion of embezzling money that cheer team members had raised to participate in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 23 in New York City.
Police Chief Gustavo Flores said that Escalon resident Samantha Silva, 34, was arrested Friday on suspicion of embezzlement and grand theft and booked at the San Joaquin County Jail. She is no longer in custody.
Flores said several parents reported a possible embezzlement to Escalon police Oct. 5 because checks Silva had written them to cover the cost of the trip to New York City had bounced.
He said the parents said the cheerleaders had raised $42,913 for the trip and the cheer team’s goal was $60,000. Flores said police still are determining the amount of the theft.
“They are very distraught,” he said Wednesday afternoon about the parents and their girls. “This is very sad. It’s sad that has happened to these kids. People donated money to make sure this trip happened. ... I wish we could do something for these kids and make it happen.”
Two parents with the cheer team declined to go on the record for this story. But a Sept. 18 post from the Oakdale Inferno’s Facebook page conveys how much the trip means to the girls.
“... Currently the girls have been working hard to earn as much money as we possibly can and have been non stop fundraising and working to earn,” according to the post.
“... We can’t thank the community enough for all your support so far. We’d love to be able to hit that goal before we leave and have all expenses covered for this once in a lifetime trip. ... Thank you in advance for all your support in helping these girls make this dream a reality!”
The Oakdale Leader and its sister publication The Escalon Times first reported Wednesday about the embezzlement.
Oakdale Inferno Cheer consists of girls ages 6 to 17 broken into several teams. Members of the Oakdale Firestorm Elite team consisting of 15- to 17-year-olds are set to make the trip to New York City. The cheer teams compete all over California, in Las Vegas and as far as Utah against other cheer teams.
Flores said Silva contacted his department Friday once she learned they were investigating her. He said an officer spoke with her at her home and arrested her.
Flores said Silva admitted to embezzling the money to cover her living expenses, including her car payment and rent. “She admitted she was in a financial hardship,” the chief said, adding she claimed the theft amounted to about $10,000.
Silva did not respond Wednesday to a voice mail and text message on a cell phone listed for her in a public records search.
Flores said his department has not determined the full amount of the suspected embezzlement but has substantiated enough to make an arrest. He said the department continues its investigation and is in the process of getting warrants for Silva’s Venmo and PayPal accounts and for Oak Valley Community Bank.
He said Oakdale Inferno Cheer’s account is with the bank and that Flores is suspected of withdrawing the money from the bank’s ATMs.
