MERCER, Pa. - A former Farrell Area School District employee entered a guilty plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of theft, according to court records.

Derek J. Randolph, 25, of Northfield, Ohio, pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking. The plea was accepted by Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Tedd C. Nesbit. Three other felony charges were dropped by the prosecution as part of a plea agreement.

The agreement outlines an 18-month probationary sentence and requires Randolph to pay $9,112.85 in restitution. He indicated he will have the restitution paid by the time of his sentencing on Nov. 6.

The charges against Randolph stemmed from allegations that he stole more than $10,000 from the school district.

According to an earlier court filing, school officials told police in September 2024 that Randolph had overpaid himself for a job position that did not exist and submitted unauthorized fuel expenses.

It was also alleged that he forged signatures on documents and used a district credit card for personal expenses