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Scout Leader Accused Of Stealing Girls' Identities

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The Associated Press

Published: September 5, 2007

PENSACOLA - A Girl Scout troop leader accused of stealing her young Scouts' Social Security numbers and netting $87,000 in a tax scheme pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors say Holly M. Barnes, 33, asked parents of the 18 girls in her troop to give the children's numbers on a fake medical release.

She used the screen names Hotmama983 and Freewoman74 to enter the numbers of the Scouts, most of whom were ages 8 to 12, and other false W-2 information into Turbo Tax software, the 34-count indictment states. She filed false claims for more than $187,000 and obtained payments of more than $87,000, the indictment said.

Randall Lockhart, Barnes' federal public defender, did not return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Miles Davis allowed Barnes to remain free on bail if two computers were removed from her home. Davis also ordered Barnes, a mother of four, to stop coaching a local soccer team and undergo a mental health assessment. Barnes was let go from her volunteer post with the Pea Ridge troop of the Girl Scouts of Northwest Florida, director Lisa Higgins said.

Barnes faces 19 counts of filing false IRS claims and 15 counts of identity theft. Each count of filing a false IRS claim carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Each identity theft count carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Trial was set for Nov. 5.

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