By Marc Freeman
Sun Sentinel
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Stefanie Woods, who once bragged it was an “easy crime” to swipe $168 from a Girl Scout selling cookies, is now facing the prospect of hard time in state prison — more than 9 years to life.
Woods was 17 in 2008 when she was nicknamed the “Cookie Monster” after her infamous caper in West Boynton. On Wednesday, the now 24-year-old returned to the Palm Beach County Courthouse to face a judge as a just-apprehended fugitive.
The former Parkland resident is accused of violating her probation from a serious 2009 case involving robbery with a firearm and kidnapping charges. She’ll remain in Palm Beach County Jail, awaiting her next court hearing June 11.
“The defendant is a violent felony offender,” Assistant State Attorney Aaron Papero told Judge Barry Cohen. “She’s not entitled to any release on bond.”
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies caught up with Woods May 14, six months after a warrant was issued for her arrest in Palm Beach County based on numerous alleged probation violations. Sentencing guidelines call for Woods to receive a minimum term of about 9-1/2 years in prison up to life behind bars.
But Woods could be facing new criminal charges, Papero said.
Wood is accused of participating in a theft of $400 from a car parked at a gas station in Boca Raton on Oct. 29, according to reports from police and her probation officer. She later admitted to the probation officer that she was with the person suspected of swiping the cash, and drove away from the crime scene, records show.
On May 10, Woods is accused of presenting a fake New York identification card when she was pulled over by a Maitland police officer, Papero said. She has not yet been charged with either alleged offense.
Defense attorney David Olson told reporters Woods is innocent of any wrongdoing.
“We deny that there is any other criminal activity,” Olson said after speaking with Woods’ mother outside the courtroom. “There is much more to this story than appears on the surface.”
Asked why Woods was in Central Florida and not reporting to her Broward probation officer, Olson said answers are forthcoming.
“There are reasons for having been there, it really is because of a necessity that will be further explained later,” Olson said. “She looks forward to being able to present more information than what is out there right now.”
In December 2010, Woods was sentenced to six years probation as a youthful offender for the 2009 charges, which involved robbing a man of prescription drugs in Palm Beach Gardens.
After four probation violations, a judge on May 1, 2013, ordered Woods to enter a six-month residential substance abuse treatment program, followed by two years of probation with a nightly curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and twice-monthly drug tests.
Woods then was warned it was likely her last chance to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. She dropped out of a drug program June 19, but completed another program Aug. 13, records show.
From November to February, a Lauderdale Lakes-based probation officer filed reports listing probation violations. One was a failure to take a drug test and provide an itinerary for court-approved travel Nov. 9-12 to attend a wedding in Monroe County.
Circuit Judge Robin Rosenberg signed an arrest warrant Nov. 12, citing 10 probation offenses, including: violating curfew; associating with someone “engaged in criminal activity"; lying to the probation officer; failing to complete 10 public service hours during three months; and failing to pay a total of more than $4,700 in probation costs.
Before fleeing South Florida, Woods also reportedly picked up three traffic offenses in Palm Beach County: Excessive speed on Oct. 1; failure to show proof of insurance on Oct. 16; and running a red light on Nov. 4.
Woods was not permitted to leave Broward on those requested dates because, the probation officer wrote, she “lacks the ability, desire or maturity to appreciate” her sanctions.