The South Shore man who allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ worth of food and equipment from Massachusetts public schools to supply his “Snack Shack” pleaded guilty, authorities announced Thursday.

Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, was charged in April with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud, according to a statement from Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley’s office. 

Van Cott served as the director of food services for the Plymouth Public Schools from 2003 until June 2025, when he was initially charged in Plymouth District Court. He previously pleaded not guilty to state-level charges of larceny from a building and felony larceny. 

Van Cott admitted to defrauding the Plymouth Public Schools by using school and U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to support his “Snack Shack” business, which he opened in 2014 in Barnstable, according to Foley’s office. 

With school funds, Van Cott ordered two $2,200 refrigerators, a nearly $4,000 two-door freezer, over $3,000 in “premium burger patties,” and other restaurant supplies, such as a griddle and sandwich prep table, according to the criminal complaint. 

Prosecutors allege Van Cott additionally gathered condiments, diced chicken, hot dogs, cooking oil, snacks, paper goods, coffee, and food products every summer to use at the “Snack Shack.” These items were either provided by the USDA or paid for by the school district. 

He also is accused of directing cafeteria workers to slice at least nine pounds of deli turkey and 4.5 pounds of deli ham, which he then sold at the “Snack Shack,” according to Foley’s office. 

Van Cott sought a quote from an equipment vendor around May 2024 for three items totaling $3,350, claiming they were for a student project, the criminal complaint states. 

After collecting the merchandise, Van Cott allegedly asked the vendor to create a fraudulent invoice for a different piece of equipment as a “favor.” Van Cott then submitted the false documentation to Plymouth Public Schools for payment through the revolving fund, according to the criminal complaint. 

Van Cott is set to be sentenced Aug. 19, court records show. 

The conviction for theft from programs receiving federal funds carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The wire fraud charge could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with a three-year term of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, according to Foley’s office.

Van Cott’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment Friday morning.