Jefferson City Police Charge Two Local Women for Stealing from Girl Scouts

The Jefferson City Police Department has arrested two local women for allegedly committing crimes against a Jefferson County Girl Scout troop. Jefferson City Police Chief Davis stated that the arrests were made following a complaint and subsequent investigation regarding suspicious actions with Girl Scout funds. Detective Michael Stallings lead the investigation and made the arrest of Patricia Lynne Graf, age 49, and Jennifer Lynn Bryant, age 31, both of Jefferson City. Graf and Bryant were leaders in the local Girl Scout program until parents became suspicious Graf, who was heading Troop 20072 in Jefferson City. Following a successful cookie sale, which is a major fundraiser for the Girl Scout program, Graf contended that Troop 20072 did not have the funds to attend an event at Dollywood. Parents began to question the lack of funds and discovered other inconsistencies, which lead to the filing of a report with the Jefferson City Police Department on August 15, 2013. According to Detective Stallings, the concerned parents estimated the amount missing from Troop funds to be between $4,600 and $5,300. Following an investigation, the Jefferson City Police Department sought a Grand Jury Indictment, which was recently handed down. Graf was indicted on two counts of forgery and one count of theft over $1000. Bryant was indicted on one count of theft over $500. Graf and Bryant were arrested on Monday, January 13, 2014 and bond was set for both women. Detective Stallings stated that the investigation will be ongoing, pending a trial or plea and that Graf and Bryant have retained legal representation. Girl Scout Troop 20072 has disbanded and the girls in that troop have become members of other troops. A representative of the National Office for the Girl Scouts of America stated that they had no further information regarding the situation, and therefore offered no official statement, but expressed concern that individuals associated with the Girl Scout program would take from an organization designed to benefit girls and young women, which is in direct opposition to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.