The employee is accused of spending $96,153.81 on school-issued credit cards to pay for spa treatments, new jewelry, purchases on Etsy and Amazon and more.
INDIANAPOLIS – A former Indianapolis school employee is facing two counts of fraud and theft after he allegedly used nearly $100,000 of school funds for personal purchases.
Former Heritage Christian School academic director Angela Ruiz-Pearce is accused of spending $96,153.81 on school-issued credit cards to pay for spa treatments, new jewelry, purchases on Etsy and Amazon and more, according to official court documents.
This story continues below.
The documents allege that nearly a third of the purchases occurred immediately after she was fired from her position at the school.
Table of Contents
How the investigation began
On February 13, 2026, a school official contacted IMPD about a fraud investigation involving a former employee who had “used her school credit card for personal use” and “submitted fraudulent receipts,” according to court documents.
Ruiz-Pearce is said to have worked at the school from January 1, 2024 to February 9, 2026 – when she was fired. Court documents show that within 10 hours of her termination, the school noticed that $30,000 in personal purchases had been made on her issued credit card.
Fraudulent expenses
While the reported internal investigation is still being conducted by Heritage Christian School, court documents show they estimate the total amount of fraudulent allegations made to be approximately $200,000.
A school official reported that Ruiz-Pearce’s transaction history while attending school included the following potential fraudulent and unlawful purchases:
- Amazon.com (Items delivered to Ruiz-Pearce’s home) – $108,336.02
- Jem MedSpa – $33,871.97
- Etsy.com – $52,575.39
- Albert’s Diamond Jewelers – $10,194.96
The total amount spent on potential fraud is $204,978.34.
Heritage Christian School Credit Card Policy
According to official court documents, Heritage Christian School has strict guidelines for employees who are issued a credit card.
The “Guidelines” section of the school’s credit card policy states that “personal purchases of any kind are not permitted.” The policy even includes a specific list of which purchases are prohibited:
- Alcoholic beverages/tobacco products
- Controlled Substances
- Personal items or loans
- Rentals (except short-term car rentals)
- Extremely hazardous materials and/or products
- Any items that are inconsistent with the school’s values
Court documents detail that the policy requires cardholders to sign and submit an agreement accepting the terms of the policy guidelines.
Heritage Christian School is located at 6401 E. 75th St., near Binford Boulevard, in the northeast part of the city.
RELATED: 8 Central Indiana residents convicted of $1.2 million travel insurance fraud repayment scheme
$96,153.81
Although the school reported more than $200,000 in fraudulent spending by Ruiz-Pearce, court documents show that IMPD’s investigation specifically confirmed that $96,153.81 was allegedly fraudulent.
Charges are pending
An arrest warrant has been issued for Ruiz-Pearce as she faces two formal charges:
- Fraud, a level 5 felony
- Theft, a level 6 felony
Court documents allege that Ruiz-Pearce “made actual purchases at the school on behalf of the school and its employees when making personal purchases using school funds and/or credit cards with the intent to obtain property, i.e.
An initial court hearing for Ruiz-Pearce is scheduled for Monday, July 20. A judge also issued a no-contact order for her and Heritage Christian School.
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/former-heritage-christian-school-employee-faces-charges-after-allegedly-using-school-money-spa-jewelry-indianapolis-fraud-theft-crime-education/531-e5e1d940-a42e-4773-aee2-4643ceddf83e
