The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

ST. LOUIS -- It's prison for a public official who admitted taking over a half million dollars in public money.

Kathy Roberts, 52, of Downing Missouri heard her sentence Friday morning in Federal court in St. Louis. 

Roberts was ordered to serve 33 months in prison, she was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of $568,974. 

Roberts was the elected Collector in Schuyler County since 1987. During her time in office, she had received cash payments for county taxes, then used the money for personal purposes instead of depositing the money into the county’s bank account. 

Roberts is also facing a state charge of stealing over $25,000. That case is being heard in Sullivan County on a change of venue from Schuyler County. Her trial on the state charge is scheduled for next month.

Former public official indicted

County collector resigns; funds missing