CENTERVILLE —
Heather Lynn Benjamin, 30, of Centerville, the former leader of Troop 665 in Centerville, has been charged with first degree theft after being accused of stealing $12,035.96 from her troop's account between Oct. 3, 2011 and Aug. 29, 2012.
According to the complaint and affidavit from Centerville Police Officer Brandon Knapp filed Sept. 4, from October of 2011 to August of 2012, Benjamin was allegedly using the troop account at Community 1st Credit Union as her personal account, registering 158 transactions to restaurants, convenience stores, ATM withdrawals and other personal purchases.
The troop held two sales one in fall 2011 and one in spring 2012, raising $17,043 from selling cookies, nuts and magazines.
According to Knapp's complaint and affidavit, Benjamin sent a check for $7,500 to the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Council and the check was returned for non-sufficient funds. The account was closed by the council on or about Aug. 29 with a balance of $5,007.04. The remaining balance was applied to the $17,043.00 the troop owes. Benjamin is accused of stealing $12,035.96 from the account, an amount the troop still owes to the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Council.
The affidavit goes on to say that Benjamin admitted in an interview on Sept. 4 to stealing money from the account.
Benjamin was being held on a $10,000 bond but was later released on her own recognizance. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
First degree theft is a class "C" felony in the state of Iowa. If convicted of a class "C" felony, the punishment can be up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000.
Southeast Iowa
Related Photos
-
Heather Lynn Benjamin Submitted photo
Was Girl Scout leader caught with hand in cookie jar?
- Southeast Iowa
-
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
-
Where to get the best deal on beer, haircuts, movies
Looking for a good deal on a six-pack of beer? Try Charlotte. A haircut that won't burn a hole in your wallet? Harlingen, Texas, is your best bet. A trip to the movies? Hilo, Hawaii, is supposed to be nice this time of year.
-
VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
Barbara Garcia was being interviewed by CBS News about how she survived the destruction of her home to Monday's massive tornado in Moore, when the dog she feared dead was suddenly discovered alive in the rubble of her home.
-
Okla. front pages capture tornado aftermath
View how several Oklahoma newspapers covered Monday's massive tornado in Moore. Please note that officials revised the death toll downward early Tuesday morning after some papers were printed, but it is expected to climb again as recovery efforts continue.
-
Corn planting soars on break in the weather
The percentage of corn planted in Iowa grew by more than 50 percentage points last week with what experts called the first really good week of weather for farmers.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
69-year-old leads deputies on high speed chase
A homeless man driving a stolen vehicle May 15 in Appanoose County at 2:30 a.m. in an attempt to elude law enforcement rammed the pursuing patrol car and is now facing five class D felony charges. Roy Steed Cope, 69, has been charged by the Appanoose
-
LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
-
VIDEO: Tumblr sold to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion
Yahoo! has purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion, hoping to compete more effectively with sites like Google and Facebook.
-
What you need to know about preparing for tornadoes
Tornado survivors and seasoned observers suggest people do two simple things to prepare for tornadoes: Know where to take shelter, and move quickly when the time comes.
- More Southeast Iowa Headlines
-
