UPDATED STORY:
A former McAlester High School football coach has been charged with felony embezzlement after allegedly misusing nearly $5,000 from a school athletic account, just months after resigning and entering a plea in an unrelated firearm case.
Forrest Mazey is accused of spending $4,676.75 from the McAlester football program’s Adidas account between December 2024 and May 2025, after his employment with the district ended on December 16, 2024. New records obtained by McAlester Radio show the first purchase was allegedly made on December 17, the day after Mazey’s resignation.
According to a report by Campus Police Chief Michael Coffman, the investigation began June 3 when Athletic Director James Singleton reported missing funds. A school official discovered the account credited with $6,000 for team and coach gear had been depleted, though no purchases had been made by the new coaching staff in 2025.
The official traced the orders, which included 90 items in total, to Mazey’s login credentials and shipping address on the 1000 block of Sunnybrook in McAlester. Purchases were made on eight different dates between December and May, all after Mazey’s resignation.
The items included mostly men’s and women’s athletic apparel and shoes. Many were in dark blue, aligning with the school colors of Mazey’s current employer.
Mazey could not be reached during the investigation. A warrant for his arrest was issued Monday, July 14.
This new charge follows a January 2025 Alford plea Mazey entered after allegedly pointing a firearm at another person in July 2024. He received a 90-day deferred sentence and was ordered to abstain from alcohol, maintain employment, and not possess firearms.
The McAlester Board of Education accepted Mazey’s resignation in December 2024, during the firearm investigation.
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ORIGINAL STORY: A former McAlester High School football coach has been charged with felony embezzlement of nearly $5,000 on a school account after resigning. This charge comes just months after entering a plea deal in a separate, firearm-related case.
Forrest Mazey is accused of misappropriating $4,676.75 from McAlester Public Schools between December 2024 and May 2025, according to a criminal affidavit. The money was previously entrusted to him in his role as head coach.
The charge comes after Mazey entered an Alford plea in January to accusations stemming from a July 2024 incident in which he allegedly pointed a firearm at another person. The plea allowed him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging a likely conviction at trial.
He received a 90-day deferred sentence and was ordered to avoid alcohol, maintain employment, and not possess firearms.
The McAlester Board of Education accepted Mazey’s resignation in December following his suspension during the firearm investigation.
A warrant for Mazey’s arrest was issued on Monday, July 14, according to court records.