Haughton Man Accused of Swindling $3K from Youth Baseball League

A Haughton man is wanted on felony theft charges for defrauding parents, youth and sponsors out of nearly $3,000 from a youth baseball league.

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington says 25-year-old Robert Martin, III, applied with Haughton Dixie Baseball League to be a coach for the spring season. He accepted payments from parents and sponsors for baseball uniforms, t-shirts, belts and socks, but instead took the money and ran.

On his coaching application in late February, martin indicated he didn't have a criminal record. But the league discovered through a routine background check in March that he did have a prior criminal history. The league's leaders contacted Martin to have him return funds and equipment, but he never showed up.

Bossier detectives say Martin cashed checks he had received, and others had given him cash. A warrant was issued for his arrest April 10, but he has managed to elude authorities. He's believed to have fled the area or the state.

Anyone with information on Martin's whereabouts is asked to call the BSO at 318-965-2203 or Bossier Crime Stoppers at 318-424-4100.