Ex-county CFO held on $100K bond
Alleged victim in sex case is autistic boy, 15
An initial appearance in Yuma Justice Court on several sexually-related offenses involving a 15-year-old autistic boy led Justice of the Peace Greg Stewart to set a $100,000 bond on Friday for the county’s former chief financial officer.
Scott Holt, who resigned following his arrest, listened as the judge, for the record, read the charges being brought against him by the Yuma Police Department, which included four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Other allegations included three counts of furnishing harmful items to minors and one count of sexual conduct with a minor.
“I have found at this early stage there is probable cause to detain,” Stewart said. “Certainly that does not mean you are guilty of anything.”
Stewart also explained to the 69-yearold Holt that the county attorney’s office had two days to review the case and decide whether to file a criminal complaint against him, charging him with any of the offenses.
He continued by saying if no criminal complaint was filed against him, he would be released. If a complaint was filed, however, he would be provided with a copy of it when he returns to court on Tuesday.
Prior to bail being set, a victim’s advocate from Amberly’s Place read a statement from the family, asking that Holt be held without bond.
However, Deputy Public Defender Raymond Vaca, who was representing Holt during the hearing, argued against the request, saying there is nothing to indicate his client would not appear back in court because he is a 12-year resident of Yuma and has no prior criminal record.
“These are only allegations, and we don’t know all the facts yet.” Vaca said.
Vaca instead requested the court release Holt to pretrial services or have him wear an ankle monitor, both of which Stewart declined.
Before setting the bond, Stewart told Vaca he would give consideration to his request at his client’s next hearing, he just wanted to see what charges are contained in the complaint, if one is filed, before making the decision.
According to Yuma police, an investigation was started on Sunday after it was reported that Holt allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a male juvenile.
During the investigation, text messages and emails were allegedly located corroborating the allegations.
Holt was taken into custody on Thursday and questioned about the
allegations, which Yuma police said he admitted to.
He was booked into the Yuma County jail on one count of sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of furnishing harmful items to minors and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Holt tendered his resignation as Yuma County CFO on Thursday evening.
No other information regarding the allegations is currently available.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call Detective Almodova at (928) 373-4781, the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @ YSJamesGilbert.