Grand jury indicts ex-president of WRALL in theft of league funds

The ex-president of the Warner Robins American Little League was indicted Tuesday on four counts of identity fraud and three counts of theft by taking.

The indictment against Joseph Stella, 38, of Warner Robins, stems from a Houston County sheriff’s investigation last summer into missing money from the league.

The indictment accuses Stella of breaching his fiduciary duty by taking money from the league between July 5, 2014 and Dec. 26, 2014; January 19, 2015 and March 29, 2015; and between April 3, 2015 and May 16, 2015.

He also is accused of signing credit card receipts in the names of other people on July 5, 2014 and on Feb. 9, Feb. 20 and March 8 of last year.

The indictment did not include any dollar amounts. But in June of last year, Houston County sheriff’s Capt. Jon Holland said that Stella was accused of purchasing about $5,000 worth of household and home improvement items with a league credit card. Those items included paint, a fire pit and an outdoor tent.

Stella was originally charged by Houston County authorities with 31 counts of theft by taking fiduciary. On its face, the indictment appears to be “something less” than what was originally charged, said Lars Anderson, a Macon attorney representing Stella.

“I think when it’s all said and done, a number of these charges are going to be very, very difficult to prosecute,” Anderson said.

Meanwhile, former Little League softball vice president Darin McDowell, of Warner Robins, was also charged in June of last year with six counts of theft by taking fiduciary.

McDowell was accused of purchasing about $300 worth of household goods, including blinds and ant killer, with a league card, authorities said.

McDowell, who has not been indicted, was listed as the victim of three of the four identity fraud counts in Tuesday’s indictment against Stella.

Jeff Grube, a Warner Robins attorney representing McDowell, said he had heard that Stella had made credit charges in McDowell’s name. Grube said he is working to have the charges against McDowell dismissed.

“Originally, he was charged with a felony. I’m of the belief that if he’s done anything wrong, it’s certainly not felony grade,” Grube said. “I’m still looking to see as to whether or not what he’s accused of is even a misdemeanor grade.”

Grube added, “This has had a tremendous toll on Mr. McDowell and his family. He truly loves the Little League program and it’s been very difficult for him the last year and a half.”

Anderson said the indictment against Stella naming McDowell as a victim in three counts throws a “wrinkle’’ into the case.

Anderson said he welcomes an opportunity from the prosecution to see what’s been reported missing from the league and what Stella allegedly took.

Assistant District Attorney Greg Winters, who is prosecuting the case, could not reached for comment.

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 7:25 PM with the headline "Grand jury indicts ex-president of WRALL in theft of league funds."