Florida Cheerleader Coach Arrested For Stealing Fundraiser Money

Megan Del Castillo

CHIEFLAND, Florida – A former high school cheerleader coach was arrested for allegedly stealing money from her team's fundraiser, according to the Levy County Sheriff's Office.

In December 2023, administrators at Chiefland Middle/High School reported suspected theft involving funds raised by the school’s cheerleading team. The coach, Megan Del Castillo, 33, who was responsible for collecting and depositing proceeds from fundraising events, was at the center of the allegations when deposit records failed to align with expected earnings.  

An audit conducted by Detective Rob Bowers, in collaboration with Levy County School Board administrators and financial officers, revealed significant discrepancies. Early estimates suggested that more than $11,000 was missing from the cheerleading team’s accounts.  

In February 2024, Detective Bowers met with Del Castillo, who initially denied any wrongdoing. However, she later admitted to keeping some of the money but claimed the amount was far less than the missing $11,000. While Del Castillo cooperated initially, providing partial documentation to assist the investigation, she failed to produce the necessary records to resolve the discrepancies. By April 2024, she became unreachable by authorities.  

Detective Bowers continued the investigation, issuing subpoenas to financial institutions and conducting a forensic audit of both the cheerleading accounts and Del Castillo’s personal accounts. By November 2024, the audit confirmed that $11,493.90 in cheerleading fees, fundraising proceeds, and bus fees entrusted to Del Castillo had not been deposited into the team’s accounts. The funds were allegedly used for Del Castillo’s personal benefit.  

Authorities attempted to locate Del Castillo, who had moved away from the area. Despite numerous efforts to contact her, she remained unresponsive.  

In January 2025, Detective Bowers secured a warrant for Del Castillo’s arrest on charges of a scheme to defraud. She was located and arrested in Lake Placid, Florida, by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. Del Castillo’s bond was set at $10,000. As of this report, no court appearance in Levy County has been scheduled.  

The investigation highlights ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in school fundraising activities.