Former Highfill mayor charged with sex crime
BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors on Friday charged Stacy Digby, the former mayor of Highfill, with sexual assault in the first degree.
Digby could be sentenced from six to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Digby was arrested March 28. He is free on $30,000 bond.
Benton County sheriff’s deputies arrested Digby after investigating his relationship with a 17-year-old girl, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The girl was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County, where she first denied Digby ever inappropriately touched her or that there was any physical attraction between the pair, according to the affidavit.
A friend of Digby’s told detectives of a conversation she had with Digby after officers searched his home, according to the affidavit. Digby told the friend he and the girl began having sex when she was 12 or 13 years old, and he had been getting photographs from the girl for years, according to the affidavit.
The girl then told detectives she and Digby had a sexual relationship, according to the affidavit. The teen said they had sex for the first time when she turned 16, at Digby’s home, according to the affidavit.
Digby was elected mayor in 2010 and was nearing the end of his second term. He resigned from office the day of his arrest.
Digby’s arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. May 7 in Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green’s courtroom.
The Highfill City Council selected Michelle Rieff to replace Digby as mayor.