Travel agent pleads guilty to Willard High theft

A Saratoga Springs, Utah, travel agent pleaded guilty today to stealing $360,000 from the Willard High School Band Boosters, an act that forced the cancellation of a trip to Hawaii for over 300 students and chaperones.

Calliope Saaga, aka Ope, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, according to a news release from the office of Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Doing business as Present America Tours LLC, Saaga penned a contract in January 2011 with the high school band booster club to provide travel arrangements for a June 2012 band trip to Hawaii. The arrangement included booking airfare, lodging, transportation, meals, tours and travel insurance. Between February 2011 and January 2012, the Willard High School Band Boosters transferred 12 payments of $30,000 each to Saaga.

Instead of booking reservations as required by the contract, Saaga used the money to fund his personal life, including at least 47 days of gambling in Las Vegas, according to the release.

The boosters suffered a $360,000 loss as a result of Saaga's theft.

Additionally, Saaga led the boosters to believe their trip to Hawaii was on schedule by emailing details of the trip to the Willard High School director of bands, according to the release.

Under federal statutes, Saaga could face up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, a fine of up to $250,000 and an order or restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following the presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II and was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the Willard Police Department.