WBRZ - Baton Rouge

ALBANY - Deputies arrested a former high school coach in Livingston Parish after they said he stole thousands of dollars raised for his football team.

Detectives arrested Bradley Ficklin of Albany Friday after they said he took $4,000 collected to pay for an inflatable tunnel to be used at Albany High School football games.

Investigators said Ficklin raised the money between Aug. 1 and Dec. 18, but never turned it over to the school or deposited it into the football team's account. The school eventually bought the tunnel with separate funds.

Ficklin resigned from Albany High School last month.

Deputies booked him in suspicion of malfeasance in office and six counts of felony theft by fraud. His bond was set at $85,000.

IMAGE: Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office