On Monday morning at the Marshall County Courthouse, April Lee McKibbin, a 46-year-old resident of Marshalltown, appeared before Judge John Haney to receive her sentencing after admitting to stealing over $42,000 from two local nonprofits: the Bobcat Booster Club and the Marshalltown High School (MHS) Afterprom Committee. The theft was revealed in 2024, leading McKibbin to plead guilty last year to a single count of First Degree Theft, a Class C felony.
During the hearing, Judge Haney granted McKibbin a deferred judgment, which means she will not serve any prison time but instead be placed on five years of supervised probation. A $1,370 civil fine was also imposed and fully suspended so that McKibbin can focus on repaying the restitution owed to the organizations. Both state prosecutor Jordan Gaffney and defense attorney Jennifer Weaver agreed with this sentencing recommendation.
Two individuals stepped forward to read victim impact statements: Addie Bane from the Afterprom Committee, who highlighted how the stolen funds were meant to provide a safe environment for MHS students after their annual dance; and Lindsay Kusserow, who shared her personal loss and emotional journey following McKibbin's betrayal. Both emphasized the broader impacts of the theft beyond monetary losses.
Gaffney criticized McKibbin’s actions but praised her admission of guilt and partial repayment of around $16,000. He encouraged her to use this opportunity for positive change in her life. Weaver noted that while McKibbin had temporarily “lost her way,” she now has a clean record otherwise and is currently employed with ongoing mental health treatment.
McKibbin herself apologized deeply during the hearing, acknowledging the harm caused by her actions and expressing commitment to personal growth and integrity moving forward. Judge Haney accepted these statements along with numerous letters of support from community members before issuing his decision in line with the joint recommendation made by both prosecution and defense teams.