A former president of a children’s softball league in McHenry has been sentenced to six months in jail after she pleaded guilty to stealing $16,000 in funds from the league.
Natalie G. Phelps, 37, McHenry, was charged in October 2023 with one count of theft by authorized control in excess of $10,000, a Class 2 felony.
Board members of the McHenry Pigtail League made a report with the McHenry Police Department in early August 2023.
The organization had discrepancies with their bank accounts and a large amount of money was unaccounted for.
The McHenry Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted an extensive investigation into the report.
Police officials said it was learned that Phelps was the league’s president during the time of the discrepancies.
Phelps “improperly withdrew” approximately $16,000 from the league’s accounts for her own personal use, police officials said.
“Non-profit organizations such as the McHenry Pigtail League are vital to the community. The league provides children with skills, character, sportsmanship and community spirit through organized softball,” the police department said in a statement.
“The McHenry Police Department is committed to investigating anyone that takes advantage of our non-profit organizations and will pursue their prosecution to the fullest extent allowed by the law,” the department added.
Phelps was arrested without incident by the McHenry Police Department and released from the McHenry County Jail.
Court records show Phelps entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office on Wednesday.
She pleaded guilty to the charge against her in exchange for 180 days in the county jail and two years of probation.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt accepted the plea deal.
Phelps was also ordered to pay back $16,325 to the organization and $1,474 in court fines and fees.
Phelps will receive day-for-day credit for her jail sentence and she is set to begin serving the sentence on March 14.