91 Year old Top Official Sentenced to 5 years in Prison

A 91-year-old mayor from Alabama town was charged with theft, according to police.
The South Alabama mayor pleaded guilty to stealing more than $200,000 from the city she runs.

River Falls Mayor, Mary Hixon, surrendered to authorities on Wednesday. The District Attorney's office confirmed that Hixon, who has been in office for over 30 years, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of property in the first degree Thursday morning.

Hixon resigned as mayor and was sentenced to five years in prison, though the prison sentence was suspended because she cooperated with the investigation and because of her age. She is obliged to return the stolen funds.

Her estate will be responsible if she dies before repayment is made in full. The news has no doubt shocked the city of River Falls, a city with a population of about 500 people near the border of the state of Florida.

"It's the talk of the town. We wait to see what happens," Tina Chandler, who works at Cafe Gary in River Falls said. She admits she has suspected Mayor Mary Hixon for a while.

"Just a lot of people were talking. You hear here and there. Little things that happen and it just makes you wonder," Chandler said.