Woman admits stealing school funds
A Prince George’s County woman who worked for Charles County Public Schools has pleaded guilty to stealing school funds to buy iPods, computers and video games for herself.
Rhayda Barnes-Thomas, 41, of Accokeek, pleaded guilty to theft involving a federal government program in federal court in Greenbelt. Barnes-Thomas, who coordinated federal grants for the school district, admitted that she used district money to buy technology products for herself between 2009 and January 2011.
According to her plea agreement, a school district audit uncovered more than 200 items purchased under Barnes-Thomas’ name — using $100,000 of grant funds — that are unaccounted for. Court records detail a list of dozens of items found when search warrants were executed at her home and her daughter’s apartment. Signatures of Barnes-Thomas’ supervisor approving the purchases had been forged.
Man killed in crash with school bus
A man was killed Tuesday afternoon after his car was involved in a crash with a Prince William County school bus, police said.
No students were on the bus at the time of the crash. The bus driver suffered minor injuries.
The accident happened about 1:45 p.m. on the 14800 block of Minnieville Road in Woodbridge and involved a school bus and a Toyota Camry, police said.
The identity of the Toyota driver was not released.
Drowned swimmer found
Rescue crews on Tuesday located the body of a missing swimmer in the Triadelphia Reservoir near Brookeville, Montgomery County police said.
The search for 21-year-old Bruce Yansen began Friday evening, when he went under while swimming in the reservoir about 5:30 p.m.
Two other people were swimming with Yansen and tried to save him when the bottom suddenly dropped off and he went under, but they were unsuccessful.
Emily Babay and Scott McCabe
