HAMPSTEAD — The Pender County Sheriff’s Office arrested Erin Coleen Schmidt, Hampstead resident and Topsail Athletic Booster’s club treasurer, on Wednesday.
Schmidt is charged with felony obbtain property by false pretense, felony money laundering less than $100,000 and felony embezzlement.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office said it was was notified of possible criminal activity involving Schmidt on Feb. 6 by Topsail High School administration and the booster club board of directors. An investigation was launched, which determined that Schmidt had embezzled funds in excess of $50,000 from the booster club.
Schmidt was taken before the magistrate and placed in custody of the Pender County Jail being held under a $5,000 secured bond.
Earlier Wednesday, Topsail Athletic Boosters’ board of directors has announced it removed Schmidt from her treasurer post.
“The Topsail Athletic Boosters is committed to responsible stewardship of the funds entrusted to our organization,” the board wrote in a statement on Wednesday. “We are taking this matter seriously and are following established procedures to ensure a careful and thorough review. Our priority remains supporting our students, families, and community with transparency and integrity.”
Pender County Schools, though it is not involved in the day-to-day finances of the club, has suspended the boosters from operating. It also announced an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the subject of athletic boosters.
Representatives of the school district said the board of directors informed the school system that it may have violated one or more of its bylaws and Pender County Board of Education policies.
“Pender County Schools will continue to cooperate with appropriate authorities if requested and will take any necessary action should information arise that affects school operations,” according to the district’s statement.
Classes, athletic programs, and school-sponsored activities will continue as scheduled.
The PCS emergency meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the Dr. Katherine Herring Resource Center, 798 US Highway 117. The public may attend virtually or in person.
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