The Mayor of Aragon who previously turned herself in after a charge was filed by a former City Police Officer now will be able to return to work without any fear of further prosecution.

Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney Jack Browning confirmed that a preliminary hearing held Wednesday morning, January 27, was held over whether there was probable cause to move forward with the charge against Mayor Debbie Pittman.

Magistrate Court Judge Jean Crane found the charge were not supported by the evidence to obtain an arrest warrant against Pittman at the end of October 2020 on a single charge of violation of oath of office.

Pittman said in a statement emailed to Polk.Today that she was glad the whole incident was now closed.

“Wednesday morning (27^th), I had the opportunity to appear before Chief Magistrate Judge Jean Crane, in reference to the warrant that was issued for me at the request of ex-officer Cruz with the Aragon Police Department,” she said by e-mail. “It was my contention from the beginning, that the warrant was sworn to and issued at the request of ex-officer Cruz in retaliation for pending discipline against him, that had been decided as being appropriate, not by me, but by the City Council as a whole. I am certainly happy that the Judge looked beyond the statements of the officer, seeing the truth and dismissed the charge. I certainly appreciate the support and prayers that came to me from the citizens, friends, and family.”

Former Aragon Police Lt. Christian Cruz resigned from the department not long after former Chief Michael Evans was fired.