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LIBERTY -- A Youngstown woman is set to appear back in court next month after being accused of using her position to steal from two of the school's extracurricular booster programs.
Christina Merrick, 48, pleaded not guilty to a charge of misuse of a credit card in front of Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeffery Adler on Tuesday morning. She also appeared on two felony theft charges.
The charges, filed by the Liberty Police Department in late July, are in connection to the theft of approximately $40,000 from the school's wrestling and soccer booster programs.
An investigation was launched in June after board members reported financial irregularities.
Detectives "determined that Merrick exploited her leadership position to unlawfully divert funds originally raised to support local student-athletes for personal use between September 2025 and June 2026," police Chief Ray Buhala said in a statement the day the charges were filed.
"Stealing from a community organization is unacceptable, but taking resources directly meant to support our youth is particularly egregious," Buhala said. "Our department worked diligently to trace these accounts and we are committed to holding those in positions of trust accountable for their actions.''
Merrick was issued a summons and was set to appear in court for her arraignment Aug. 4, but she was granted a delay resulting in the event's movement to Tuesday.
A $10,000 bond was set for Merrick, who is set to make a preliminary appearance Sept. 9.