Nine people arrested by Texas AG’s office for voter fraud
This story has been updated throughout.
EDINBURG, TEXAS (KGBT) - Nine people have now been arrested in connection to participating in an illegal voting scheme in Edinburg, Texas.
The arrests follow an ongoing investigation where political workers recruited people who agreed to fraudulently claim residential addresses so they could vote in specific city of Edinburg municipal races.
The nine individuals, Guadalupe Sanchez Garza, Araceli Gutierrez, Brenda Rodriguez, Rosendo Rodriguez, Cynthia Tamez, Ruby Tamez, Belinda Rodriguez, Felisha Yolanda Rodriguez and Jerry Gonzalez, Jr., will be prosecuted by the Hidalgo County DA's Office.
“Illegal voting, particularly an organized illegal voting scheme orchestrated by political operatives, is an affront to democracy and results in corruption at the highest level,” says Attorney General Paxton. “Each illegal vote silences the voice of a law-abiding registered voter. My office will continue to do everything in its power to uncover illegal voting schemes and bring to justice those who try to manipulate the outcome of elections in Texas.”
According to jail records, a $1,000 bond has been set for Felisha Yolanda Rodriguez. A $10,000 bond has been set for Araceli Gutierrez, Brenda Rodriguez, Rosendo Rodriguez, Belinda Rodriguez and Jerry Gonzalez, Jr. The other suspects arrested have not had their bonds set as of Thursday afternoon.
More arrests are expected in connection to this investigation.
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An additional three individuals have been arrested for voter fraud.
The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that eight people are currently in custody of the Hidalgo County District Attorney's office.
On Thursday morning, the Texas Attorney General's office arrested five people in connection to the 2017 Edinburg city election.
Details are limited but District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez says that one more arrest is possible.
The names of the suspects have not yet been released as there are other arrests pending.
Texas Rangers, as well as the district attorney's office, assisted in the arrests.
We will keep you up to date with the latest information.
