09/08/2026
MEDIA RELEASE
EMBEZZLEMENT ARREST
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
This is a follow-up release related to our agency’s Facebook post on March 27, 2026, involving allegations of embezzlement from the Dukes Touchdown Club, a nonprofit organization that existed to raise funds to support Gloucester High School’s football teams and cheerleaders.
After receiving this allegation from the Gloucester County Public Schools Superintendent and administrative staff, the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division opened an investigation into the matter. This extensive multi-month probe involved comprehensive data gathering, conducting multiple interviews, and obtaining and serving several search warrants. In addition, investigators analyzed financial documents and digital evidence to identify any potential embezzlement or criminal mismanagement of money donated to the nonprofit organization.
The Dukes Touchdown Club, which has since disbanded, was operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. One of those directors, Mrs. Shannon M. Roane, joined the organization in approximately 2016 and held the title of “Events Coordinator.” In this role, Mrs. Roane handled money raised during events and took responsibility for making sure the organization’s obligations were paid, such as buying team jerseys and sending the student athletes to camps. After repeated instances of vendors contacting the organization, and eventually the school, to report that checks had bounced and bills were not paid, Mrs. Roane engaged in a pattern of deception to vendors, school officials, and other members of the Board of Directors to cover her misappropriation of organizational funds.
Once Mrs. Roane’s activities came to light, she was confronted by other members of the Board of Directors. These other members were fully cooperative with the criminal investigation, as were Gloucester County Public Schools officials, and there is no evidence to suggest that anyone aside from Mrs. Roane was involved in the theft of money from the Dukes Touchdown Club.
After consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the lead investigator appeared before the Gloucester County Grand Jury sitting on September 8, 2026. As a result of the evidence and testimony presented to the Grand Jury, Shannon McFarland Roane, a 57-year-old Gloucester County resident, was indicted for the following eight felony charges:
§18.2-111- Embezzlement > $1,000 (6 counts)
§18.2-172- Forgery
§ 18.2-186- False statements to obtain property or credit
Mrs. Roane was subsequently arrested on the afternoon of September 8, 2026. She was granted a $2,500 secured bond by the magistrate pending her first appearance in the Gloucester Circuit Court.
The Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Virginia State Police for assigning a Special Agent Accountant to assist our agency’s investigator in this matter.
There is no further information available for release at this time.
