Ex-Girl Scout troop leader refuses plea deal

Ana Isabel Juarez, who was arrested a year ago accused of stealing $6,000 from an El Monte Girl Scouts troop’s coffers, refused a plea deal offer and waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Apr. 18 in front of Judge Elaine Lu at the Pasadena Superior Court.
Juarez is due back the morning of May 3 in trial judge Suzette Clover’s courtroom.
The ex-Girl Scouts troop leader, who was bailed out and is now represented by a private attorney, appeared in court wearing a salmon blouse, blue jeans, leopard print high heels, and carrying a Coach purse, looking far from what one would expect from anyone in trouble with the law.
She refused a plea deal offer that reportedly included doing time in jail, probation, and money restitution, opting instead to take her case to trial.
Juarez is accused of Grand Theft of Personal Property, a felony, and likely is hoping to receive a lesser punishment from a jury.
It would surprise few, however, if the mothers and the leaders of the Girl Scouts troop she harmed choose to become available to testify against her at trial time.

A few Girl Scouts leaders were present at the Pasadena Court’s Room J on Thursday, keeping a close eye on the proceedings. One of them, Verna de los Reyes, said that they are hopeful of getting full restitution.

“But it goes beyond that,” she added. “This is about an important lesson – that when you do something wrong you will have to face the consequences. That there are always consequences for your actions.”

-Story by Dena Burroughs

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