Olympian Meaggan Pettipiece’s career derailed after wrongful arrest at Walmart checkout

Former Olympic athlete Meaggan Pettipiece’s life was turned upside down on March 28, 2024, after an incident at a Walmart self-checkout in Indiana led to her wrongful arrest. Pettipiece, who was scanning her groceries, including ham and asparagus, was unaware the items didn’t register on the machine. Despite paying $176 for her other groceries, Walmart security called the police, and she was arrested for theft of the unscanned $67 worth of items.

During the search, officers found three disposable vapes and anti-nausea medication Zofran in her purse, resulting in additional charges for marijuana and controlled substances. Pettipiece later clarified that the medication belonged to an assistant coach, and the vapes contained no nicotine or THC.

The Olympian, who had been serving as a Division 1 softball coach at Valparaiso University, resigned following the arrest, describing the experience as a "living nightmare." Pettipiece told The National Post, “I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building, and it’s been really difficult.” She expressed frustration at how the wrongful arrest tarnished her reputation, adding, “How do you get out to people that you are innocent? This damage was done for something so ridiculous.”

In September 2024, after the filing of her attorney’s case, including character references and evidence that the items weren’t hers, all charges were dropped. However, Pettipiece remains uncertain about her future and is now focused on her family.