GBI: Former teacher, coach stole $15K from Henry County cheerleading team

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Nikia Moore, 38, on Monday, May 20.??

A former Henry County high school teacher used to encourage tons of pomp and pride as a cheerleading coach.

However, the GBI isn’t cheering.

Instead, the agency has charged Nikia Moore, 38, of Fairburn, with three felonies and accused her of stealing about $15,000 from the competitive cheerleading program at Dutchtown High School in Hampton, according to a news release.

She was a teacher at the school during the 2017-18 school year, according to the release. When she left the school, the funds were allegedly missing from the squad’s account.

“The money came from the parents of the cheerleaders and also from fundraising activities by the students,” GBI Special Agent Bahan Rich told Channel 2 Action News.

Moore denied any wrongdoing, telling Channel 2, “I’m innocent, and God is good.” That was the only comment she provided.

She resigned from the Henry County School District on Feb. 28, 2018, according to district spokesman J.D. Hardin, but it’s unclear why she tendered her resignation.

She faces two felony counts of theft by taking and a felony count of influencing witnesses after allegedly telling a witness to give agents false information, the release said. The GBI’s investigation was prompted by a request from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

She was booked into the Henry County jail Monday. She was later released on bond, the GBI said.

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