Miller County tax collector pleads innocent to theft

TEXARKANA — The Miller County tax collector has pleaded innocent to charges accusing her of stealing cash payments and misusing a county-issued credit card.

Melissa Ann Barnes entered her plea Tuesday in Miller County Circuit Court. Prosecutors accused Barnes of voiding receipts for cash payments from taxpayers and pocketing the money.

She's due in court next week for a pretrial hearing concerning the felony allegations.

Barnes is free on $10,000 bond. According to the Texarkana Gazette, Barnes is still the county's tax collector, but she's not allowed to work in that job under conditions of her bond.

The Miller County tax collector receives municipal, county, school and improvement district taxes, which are then turned over to the county treasurer.

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