Afton Smith, a 34‑year‑old treasurer of the Wapato Basketball Booster Club in Washington, has been charged with first‑degree theft after prosecutors say she diverted more than $18,000 of the organization’s money for her own use.
The booster club, which raises funds to support the basketball programs at Wapato High School, relies on a small group of volunteers to manage its finances, making any irregularity quickly noticeable to its officers.
Club leaders grew alarmed when they discovered that Smith had closed the group’s bank account without notice and submitted financial statements that did not reconcile with the club’s records, prompting an internal investigation.
A search warrant executed by local law enforcement opened a window into Smith’s personal spending, revealing a pattern of purchases at well‑known retailers and eateries that far exceeded the modest expenses expected of a volunteer treasurer.
Bank records showed that between April and December 2023, transactions totaling $18,483.37 were made at establishments such as Cinnabon, Pizza Hut, Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and Walmart, with many items shipped directly to Smith’s homes in Moxee and Wapato rather than to the club’s post office box.
Among the items bought with club funds were cosmetics, children’s clothing, toys and a Ring camera wall‑mount bracket, purchases that investigators say were clearly personal in nature.
Plea and Release
After being taken into custody, Smith entered a plea of not guilty to the theft charge and was released on her own recognizance while the case proceeds toward trial.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The prosecution has indicated that the evidence includes detailed bank statements and delivery logs that link the unauthorized purchases to Smith’s personal addresses, a fact that could influence the upcoming court schedule.
Community members and booster club officials say they hope the case will reinforce the importance of transparent financial oversight within volunteer‑run organizations.