A former manager of a Dillsburg-area golf course told a York County judge on Monday he embezzled more than $50,000 from the business to pay off his daughter's heroin dealer.

Daryl Kiel Dissinger, 48, of 7520 Manor Drive in Harrisburg, remains free pending his sentencing hearing, scheduled for April 29.

He pleaded guilty Monday to one count of theft by deception, a third-degree felony, according to court records.

Deputy prosecutor Jeff Rigby said there's no agreed-upon punishment, and presiding Common Pleas Judge Michael E. Bortner has ordered a full pre-sentence investigation to help him determine an appropriate sentence.

The prosecutor said his focus is on getting full restitution for Range End Golf Club.

At his plea hearing, Dissinger told Bortner a heroin dealer basically extorted the money from him.

"(He said) his daughter had become involved with heroin and because of that she'd gotten herself in some trouble," Rigby said. "(Dissinger) said he tried to step into the situation and ended up making threats against the dealer."

The dealer -- who Dissinger said later died of a drug overdose -- had apparently threatened to harm Dissinger's daughter.

"Basically, he said he ended up being extorted. He was stealing to pay off the dealer," said Rigby. "I'll just say it's the first time I've heard that (account)."

Rigby said he doesn't know "what was going through Mr. Dissinger's head," but that "whatever his reasoning, certainly it doesn't provide a legal defense."

Judge Bortner made that point in court, according to Rigby.

Neither Dissinger nor his Harrisburg-based defense attorney, Jenna Fliszar, returned phone messages seeking comment.

Background: While working for Range End Golf Club, 303 Golf Club Ave., Dissinger failed to deposit $52,441.76 of the club's proceeds, according to court documents filed by Carroll Township Police.

Pete Ramsey, golf course superintendent, previously said the missing money didn't affect operations.

According to Ramsey, Dissinger worked as the club's food and beverage manager for about a year and a half, until Aug. 5, 2011.

On that day, after being questioned by Ramsey about the missing money, Dissinger left the club and never returned, according to court documents.

-- Staff writer Liz Evans Scolforo can also be reached at levans@yorkdispatch.com.