Controversial First County Exec Joe Alton Dies

Joseph Alton Jr., the first Anne Arundel county executive, died early Friday, according to The Maryland-Gazette.

Alton, 94, of Eastport, was suffering from poor health and was in a wheel chair for the last few years of his life, the report said.

According to Maryland State Archives, Alton rose in the ranks of Anne Arundel County as deputy sheriff in 1947, then sheriff from 1950 to 1962. From there, he represented the county as a Republican in the Maryland Senate for two years, until he became the first county executive in 1965.

Alton held the office until he pleaded guilty to extortion charges in 1974, for which he was sentenced 18 months in prison and served 7 months.

He stayed involved in county politics, however, and was involved with the election of fellow Republican Robert Neall as county executive in 1990, according to The Gazette.

The report says Alton's death came two days after the death of his son, Joesph Alton III, 64, who died of a heart attack.