OSAGE, Iowa – The leader of a North Iowa Girl Scout troop has been arrested for embezzlement.
Kennika Royale Gueller, 30 of Mason City, is facing charges of ongoing criminal conduct and second-degree theft.
The Osage Police Department says Gueller helped start a Girl Scout troop in October 2021 and opened a bank account at the local CUSB Bank in Osage. Court documents state one debit card was issued for the troop and it was placed in Gueller’s possession.
Investigators say they got a tip in July 2022 that Gueller had used money earned by the troop for her own personal expenses. Gueller is accused of using the troop debit card for personal purchases in Mason City, Manly, Charles City, Osage, and at online stores. Police say the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa also says money raised by the sale of Girl Scout cookies is missing.
The thefts allegedly happened between November 2021 and August 2022.
Law enforcement says the total amount of money taken from the troop’s bank account and cookie sales is $5,971.03.
