A former teacher and track coach at Parkview High School in Gwinnett County is now facing felony theft charges after investigators say he took tens of thousands of dollars meant for student athletes.
Matt Henson, who once coached the school’s track and field team, was arrested this week on accusations that he stole $65,000 from the Parkview Track and Field Booster Club.
According to an arrest warrant, the alleged theft took place over a period of nearly eight years, spanning from January 2018 through December 2025.
Henson is also a well-known name in Georgia high school athletics circles.
He was inducted into the Gwinnett County Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2024, and just a year later he received the same honor from the Georgia Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
How the Investigation Started
The case against Henson began to unfold last October, after parents of athletes on the team started raising concerns. Several families reported that their children were not getting basic gear they needed to compete, including uniforms, despite the booster club collecting donations for that exact purpose.
Once police started digging into the club’s finances, investigators say they found that money donated by parents had instead gone toward Henson’s personal vacations. Authorities allege he used a debit card and checkbook connected to the booster club account to cover his own expenses, including travel costs and personal subscription services.
Henson stepped down from his position at Parkview High School last November, shortly after learning that he was under investigation. He did not wait to be picked up by police. Instead, he turned himself in this past Wednesday once a warrant for his arrest had been issued.
What Happens Next
After turning himself in, Henson posted an $11,000 bond and has since been released from custody while the case moves forward. It remains unclear at this time whether he has retained an attorney or how he plans to respond to the charges.
Gwinnett County Schools has not commented extensively on the situation involving one of its former staff members, but district officials are asking anyone with knowledge of similar financial misconduct to speak up.
The district has pointed people toward its fraud hotline as a way to report suspected wrongdoing tied to school programs or booster organizations.
This story is still developing, and additional details are expected to come out as the legal process continues. For now, the case has drawn attention across the local sports community, given Henson’s standing as a recognized figure in Georgia high school track and field.
