SOUTH POINT — A former treasurer for the South Point High School Band Boosters organization is facing a theft charge stemming from more than $3,472 in missing funds from that club’s bank account.

Sheila Pennisten, 41, of 106 Seventh St., South Point, was arraigned Friday in Lawrence County Municipal Court. Judge Donald Capper set bond at $3,000 and appointed D.L. McWhorter as her attorney. Pennisten must return to court March 20 for a preliminary hearing.

According to a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office report, Pennisten obtained the money by cashing band boosters checks several times between August and December 2008. The checks were cashed for amounts between $200 and $500. In addition to the $3,400, Pennisten also allegedly wrote checks for a total of $2,000 but paid that money back, according to the sheriff’s office report.

According to the report, the missing money was detected when the band boosters account began accumulating overdrafts, the school was notified and the school board investigated the matter.

Pennisten allegedly wrote checks to herself as reimbursement for various expenses but it was later determined those expenses had already been paid.

“It was also discovered Pennisten on at least three occasions cashed $500 checks supposedly for drawer money at the concession stands however the money did not reach the concession stand and additional money was withdrawn to provide drawer money,” Detective Aaron Bollinger said in his report.

The sheriff’s report stated Pennisten admitted to Bollinger she took the money.

Pennisten was branch manager of the bank where the band boosters had its account but has since been fired.

Pennisten declined to comment Saturday.