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Former football coach sentenced
By Stephanie Flemmons, Staff Writer
A former Mesquite High School football coach accused of theft agreed to a plea deal Friday and received two years of probation and a $500 fine, according to Dallas County court records.
Steve Halpin, 53, pled guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of theft of official capacity and was ordered to begin deferred adjudicated probation immediately.
Halpin’s attorney Paul Johnson said Halpin’s felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor because the items taken from the school district were returned.
Johnson said if Halpin successfully completes his two years of probation this charge will not show on his record as a conviction.
Halpin was arrested May 31 for an enhanced felony charge of theft for pawning Mesquite ISD equipment to support a gambling addiction which came to light in 2008 after other coached noticed several items missing and reappearing.
The allegations began March 20, 2008, when multiple cameras were missing from the athletic department and then mysteriously returned.
According to the Mesquite police investigation, detectives became suspicious of Halpin and believed he was pawning the items for money. They decided to conduct a search of pawn receipts and found hits at three Dallas shops. The two-year search revealed Halpin had pawned 270 items, including his 2001 football state championship ring on five occasions, from January 2007 to April 2008. Police confirmed that all electronics revealed in the report were property of Mesquite ISD.
Coaches at the high school told police they believed Halpin had a gambling problem and was taking school property to the track.
Halpin, who led the Skeeters to the Class 5A title in 2001, retired as head coach in May 2008 after taking the team to the playoffs eight times during his 13 year tenure.
MISD officials declined to comment.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Ted wrote on Aug 5, 2009 5:50 PM:
" This makes me so mad, not that he was "punished" but that this low life gets a retirement funded by tax payers when he stole items from us, tax payers. "
oh well wrote on Aug 5, 2009 9:12 PM:
" The guy brought Mesquite a State ring so in turn this seems fair. Whatever. There are worse criminals in our town than him. "
Misc. wrote on Aug 6, 2009 1:18 PM:
" I had Coach Halpin as a coach in High School and I agree with "Oh well", people have done far worse and walked scott free. This man has lost far more than his court sentence. He has lost his respect and friends, etc. That is enough. Ted, he put his own hard earned money into his retirement that he is collecting now. Money he earned while spending countless hours working hard to influence the young people of Mesquite in a positive way, as he influenced me. People make mistakes, as I am sure you have done. I would hate to think of all of our mistakes being put under a microscope like Coach Halpin's have. Yes he messed up, but please dont act like you havent. "
URkiddingmeright wrote on Aug 6, 2009 1:36 PM:
" Steal from kids to fund a gambling habit ( 270 times) and get a reduced sentence, a small fine, AND a job offer (DMN article). Only in Mesquite! Maybe he will run for some public office next. "
Richard wrote on Aug 11, 2009 1:42 AM:
" Misc, Lets say the coach made a mistake but made the mistake 270 times! Wow did he not understand wrong from right or was it not wrong until he was caught. I say we go ahead and let him coach the SKEETERS again, he did bring us a state title. This is the only thing important. Every write up I see in the "STAR" paper they mention it to make it seem it is ok. M.I.S.D did not want to step up and press charges till they was forced to. Maybe we can build a new stadium in his honor? GO SKEETERS! "
Mesqhater wrote on Aug 11, 2009 2:08 PM:
" Misc: If this would have been a student, for one they would not of let them attend any school functions while they were doing their investigation, but he was allowed to go to games, graduation and everything else he choose too. My child was caught not wearing a belt to school three times and was sent down the street to school for one week and was told to not to even walk across school property, he could not go and watch his sisters games or anything, thank god she didnt graduate that year. But because of what he had done in the past it was ok for him..Thank god it wasnt a student he would still be behind bars..Totally Unfair, I'm all about 2nd chances in life, but treat all fairly............ "
Mesquite High School Parent wrote on Aug 13, 2009 3:09 PM:
" Yeah! Now Coach Halpin and his kids can move on with their lives. I am glad for him. "
GEF wrote on Aug 13, 2009 3:29 PM:
" We can all complain at what he did and the punishment handed to him,but at this point its all water under the bridge. I believe that the taxpayers(school) should be upset at how the school district is continuing to cover up situation from the taxpayers like nothing ever happens. Case in point the Berry middle school incident involving a girl being forced into the boys restroom and fondled by a group of boys,Nothing was said for a while until the parents of the school kids starting talking among the community then the district had to open up about it.Lets all address the hide behide closed door school district about thier behavior of how they handled these issues. I for one am very unhappy with all the members, instead of being a follower step up and be a leader, GET THESE PEOPLE OUT "
RB wrote on Aug 17, 2009 6:20 AM:
" It's nice to see other people are speaking about how pathetic MISD is. Here's one for you: A current MISD employee bashes two former MISD employees on a message board. All they give him is a slap on the wrist! Wow.... so you can do whatever you want to do as an employee of the MISD, and get away with it! What a shock! "
formerMHSstudent wrote on Aug 26, 2009 10:06 AM:
" Gambling is an addiction just like alcoholism or any other addition. It wouldn't be too big of an assumption that there are alcoholic teachers in some school districts. This man had an (unfortunate) addiction. He and his family have been punished enough through all the media attention. Let him do his probation and get on with his recovery and LIFE. He was a great teacher and coach, and I hope the former students of MHS remember him for his abilities instead of for his faults. Isn't that how we would all like to be remembered? "
rdjopinion wrote on Sep 11, 2009 1:09 PM:
" Although I think what he did was terrible and worse he ruined his image to many young people who looked up to him and some that looked to him as an example of what a good man is. Okay in his defense today; He at least has owned up to what he has done and has returned what was taken. I think the youth of mesquite could take one more lesson from this man. Even though he made a very bad choice and broke the law he handled it like a man. owned up and took the punishment that has been decided. So I say own your mistakes and try to not repeat any of them. "
CJ2004 wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:07 AM:
" The superintendent should have had her teaching license revoked and been removed by the school board for trying to cover this up. It didn't matter that Coach Halpin returned the items. She should have made the issue known and taken steps, instead of handling it "in house". She had no right to take the role of judge and jury on herself, to keep this matter from the public....parents and tax-payers, alike. When it becomes clear that a criminal offense was committed, then the matter is no longer one she can make a judgement call on. It's clear she behaved in an unprofessional manner. "
drod wrote on Sep 22, 2009 5:21 PM:
" OK Coach obviously has a problem. How many of us would have received similar leniency. Just shows the good ole boy network is alive and well in Mesquite. Wonder how many tickets and special favors he gave the DA?
Thats whats frustrating not what you did but who you know? Good ole Mesquite Texas, The home of the deal makers. You know who you are. "
Thats whats frustrating not what you did but who you know? Good ole Mesquite Texas, The home of the deal makers. You know who you are. "
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