WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A Mingo County businessman and assistant basketball coach at Tug Valley High School has been arrested on multiple counts stemming from a felony indictment.
The Mingo County grand jury handed up the 30-count indictment this week against Robert Tyler Hodge.
The indictment includes 13 counts of computer fraud, 12 counts of unauthorized use of an access device, two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, two counts of fraudulent schemes, and a single count of money laundering.
According to the criminal complaint the allegations center around $5,990 raised through donation’s for the Tug Valley High School basketball program. The various charges stem from that money which was initially deposited into the Panther Pride bank account, but then withdrawn by Hodge and directed into s business account of a grocery store he owned. The indictment includes allegations of fraudulent purchases with the money at a variety of stores, restaurants, and on-line retailers for varying amounts of money.
Hodge was arrested by the Mingo County Sheriff’s office Friday and is free on bond.
The Mingo County Board of Education issued a statement regarding Hodge:
“The Mingo County School District is aware of the recent indictment involving an assistant boys’ basketball coach at Tug Valley High School. The allegations outlined in the indictment are, to say the least, deeply concerning and alarming.
The school district is committed to maintaining the trust of our students, families, employees, tax payers, and community members. We recognize our responsibility to be good stewards of public funds and donated resources, and we expect all employees, citizen coaches, and volunteers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
We are deeply disappointed by the negative attention this matter has or will bring to Tug Valley and its basketball program. Most importantly we recognize that our student athletes, coaches, and supporters work hard every day to represent our schools in a positive manner deserve better. Their dedication, accomplishments, and commitment to their teams, should not be overshadowed by the allegations involving one individual.
Our primary focus remains on supporting our students and ensuring that our schools and extracurricular programs continue to operate with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Anything less is unacceptable. We will continue to monitor the situation and take any actions that may be necessary and appropriate under applicable law and district policy. The district will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and any other appropriate authorities.
Because this is an active criminal matter, no further comments will be issued by the school system. “