Election Fraud Cases

Christopher Coyle, the former Clark County Clerk Democratic candidate and former chairman of the Clark County Democratic Party, was charged by the state with 3 felony counts of filing a fraudulent report, voting outside precinct, and address change violation, after falsely claiming his residency in Clark County and voting during the 2022 election. He filed a false report with the Clark County Clerk's Office claiming he lived in Memphis despite having sold his home and not updated his driver's license or voter registration to reflect the fact that he was now living in Louisville, Kentucky. He then voted in person in Sellersburg on Election Day. He admitted the conduct and entered into a diversion agreement. The charges were dropped upon completion of the program.

Source: herit.ag/3NC4D1W , herit.ag/3RQ1Ch2 , herit.ag/3RRNCDi

James Bartlett was charged by the state in Dearborn County with one felony count each of perjury and fraudulent subscription of another person's name after his involvement in an absentee ballot trafficking scheme during the Lawrenceburg 2019 General Election. Bartlett, a former City of Lawrenceburg employee, worked with co-conspirator Troy Kemper to fill out fraudulent absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots. The fraud was detected by the Election Board because the signatures on the original voter registration forms did not match the signatures on the absentee ballot applications and the absentee ballots, and after contacting 20 voters, learned they did not apply for an absentee ballot or permit Kemper to turn in their ballot. Bartlett pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy of fraudulent subscription and was sentenced to 910 days in prison, which was suspended if he completes one year of probation without violation. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and fined and assessed court costs of $1,285. Upon completion of his probation, his felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. 

Source: herit.ag/3HVQ99l , herit.ag/3HTrl1X , herit.ag/3RXuAdp

Troy Kemper was charged by the state in Dearborn County with one felony count each of perjury and fraudulent subscription of another person's name after his involvement in an absentee ballot trafficking scheme during the Lawrenceburg 2019 General Election. Kemper was charged for his role in submitting fraudulent absentee ballot applications and ballots along with his co-conspirator James Bartlett. The fraud was detected by the Election Board because the signatures on the original voter registration forms did not match the signatures on the absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, and after contacting 20 voters, learned they did not apply for an absentee ballot or permit Kemper to turn in their ballot. In exchange for agreeing to testify truthfully against James Bartlett and the state dismissing the fraudulent subscription charge, Kemper pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of perjury and was sentenced to 365 days with 363 days suspended, and he was assessed court costs and filing fees of $210.

Source: herit.ag/3XoQ4Rj , herit.ag/3HPWEdK , herit.ag/3HZrrov

Janet Reed, an Evansville Democratic Party activist, was charged by the state with one count of unauthorized absentee ballot, a felony offense. Reed sent illegally pre-marked absentee ballots applications to voters ahead of the 2020 primary election. Reed filled out the applications by pre-selecting the Democrat Party where voters were supposed to choose a Republican or Democratic primary ballot. Reed included instructions that the section in question "needs no input." Reed kept sending the pre-marked applications even after receiving warnings from election officials and the Democrat Party. Reed pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and ordered to pay restitution of $2,740 and court costs of $925. She was also barred from working on any elections during her probation. The court indicated that it would consider reducing the charge to a misdemeanor upon successful completion of probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3VkpWGF, https://herit.ag/3TZLNlu, https://herit.ag/3Vmv4dc

Jerome "J.D." Kesler was living in Illinois from 2010 to 2014, but continued to vote from an Indiana address. Following an investigation by the Indiana State Police, he was charged with two class D felonies for voting outside his precinct of residence. In November of 2017, he entered into a plea deal of a one-year suspended jail sentence and informal probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iRXQkn, https://herit.ag/3BGBfjz

Max Judson was convicted of election fraud and witness tampering during the 2014 primary election. While a candidate for city council during the election, he admitted that he solicited someone he knew not to be a resident of the district to cast an absentee ballot. He also admitted that when he realized he was being investigated, he attempted to intervene and deter the voter from communicating with law enforcement. He was sentenced to one year and one day in prison in addition to one year of supervised release and a $500 fine. He was also forced to resign from his seat on the Sullivan County Council.

Source: https://herit.ag/374MQLa, https://herit.ag/3zJOWfw, https://herit.ag/3rANWaM, bit.ly/2pL2u9h

Lowell "Ross" Colen, a 10-year veteran of the Rising Sun Police Department, was forced to resign after pleading guilty to four counts of felony voter fraud. Colen was accused of illegally trying to help his father win election to the Rising Sun City Council by completing absentee voter applications and filling out ballots for people who were not eligible to vote in the county, and in some cases forging signatures. Colen evidently conducted some of this illegal activity while in uniform and on duty. He pleaded guilty to four counts of felony vote fraud and was sentenced to concurrently serve one year in prison and 185 days' probation.

Source: bit.ly/2mlTkMl, bit.ly/2l07BNH, bit.ly/2lpehs4

Former St. Joseph County Democratic Chairman Butch Morgan, Jr. was sentenced to one year of prison after being convicted of felony charges stemming from a plot to forge signatures on the petition to place Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the Indiana Democratic Primary ballot in 2008. Morgan, along with multiple co-conspirators from the Board of Voter Registration, forged over 200 signatures. A Yale University junior, Ryan Nees, discovered the fraud, noting "page after page of signatures are all the same handwriting." The forgery was overlooked during the primary process "because election workers in charge of verifying their validity were the same people faking the signatures."

Source: https://herit.ag/3iQE493

Pam Brunette, Beverly Shelton, and Dustin Blythe worked with Butch Morgan (see prior entry) to forge over 200 signatures on the petition to enter Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton into the Indiana Democratic Primary. A Yale University junior, Ryan Nees, discovered the fraud, noting "page after page of signatures are all the same handwriting." The forgery was overlooked during the primary process "because election workers in charge of verifying their validity were the same people faking the signatures." Brunette, a board member on the St. Joseph County Board of Voter Registration Democratic, and Shelton, a board worker, both received two years of probation in exchange for their testimony against Morgan. The judge sentenced Dustin Blythe, a board worker and Democrat volunteer, to one year in Community Corrections and probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/2Vf1CfA

Austin Mayor Doug Campbell faced voter fraud charges that he illegally accepted absentee ballots from voters and filled out a woman's incomplete ballot. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor electioneering in exchange for prosecutors agreeing to dismiss the felony voter fraud and conspiracy charges, which enabled him to remain in office.

Source: https://herit.ag/3fl9tj9, https://herit.ag/3xbrtlQ

Paul Etheridge, former New Albany mayoral candidate in the Democratic primary, was charged with voter fraud for endorsing a ballot of someone he knew to be ineligible in the May 2011 Democratic mayoral primary in New Albany, Indiana. He pleaded guilty to Forgery of Official Ballot Endorsement and received a suspended 18-month sentence.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rDnxt4

Michael Marshall, a Jennings County Democratic Party worker, pleaded guilty to three counts of vote fraud relating to applications for absentee ballots for his son, brother, and former roommate. Marshall was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Source: https://herit.ag/3i5A5Gj

Christopher Marshall, of Jennings County, pleaded guilty to deception in a case involving absentee ballot fraud. His father, Michael Marshall, was working on a mayoral re-election campaign and was responsible for soliciting absentee ballot voters. He recruited his son and another individual (John Cook) to assist him. Christopher Marshall was ordered to pay court costs and fees, a fine, and restitution totaling $212.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zBqM70, (Case #40C01-1110-FC-000420)

Former Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White was removed from office following his 2012 felony conviction. White, who was serving as a councilman for the town of Fishers at the time, listed his ex-wife's home address as his primary residency so he could vote and be paid as a councilman in a district where he no longer resided. In addition to losing his office, White was sentenced to one year of house arrest, and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and complete 30 hours of community service.

Source: https://herit.ag/3x7RSRF, https://herit.ag/3i5In0Y, https://herit.ag/3l3JAIe

John Cook, of Jennings County, pleaded guilty to perjury after he was arrested in connection with absentee ballot fraud. He was sentenced to 545 days' imprisonment, with one year of that time suspended.

Source: http://bit.ly/1S18hf1, (Case #40C01-1110-FC-000421)

Joshua Clemons was charged with voter fraud for completing two absentee ballots for people he knew to be ineligible in the May 2011 Democratic Primary. He pleaded guilty to fraudulent delivery of ballots and received a suspended 18-month sentence.

Source: https://herit.ag/3x6wQmn

Monte Murphy, a former Muncie City Councilman, was convicted of three counts of illegally receiving absentee ballots following a jury trial. He provided the ballots to the individuals, told them how to vote for a straight Democrat ticket, and then mailed in the ballots for them. The trial court reduced each conviction to a Class A misdemeanor and sentenced Monte to consecutive one-year terms, suspended to probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3x2sWLi

Former Schereville Town Court Bailiff Brian Berkman was convicted of voting in another precinct and perjury during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. He was sentenced to one year of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iSpOg2

Natividad Hernandez pleaded guilty to unauthorized entry at the polls during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary election. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zBqOMa

Christopher and Michael Lopez pleaded guilty to unauthorized entry into the polls. The brothers voted in a precinct where they did not live during the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary. Each man received a suspended 60-day jail sentence. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rDnwW2

Joseph Pedraza and his wife, Constance D. Simmons-Pedraza, pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct where they did not live for the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. They falsely claimed residence in East Chicago so that they could vote there, but city employment records revealed that they actually lived in the town of St. John. Both were sentenced to one year in prison, a sentence which will be suspended if they each satisfactorily complete one year on probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3l6sidl

Ponciano Herrera, a Lake County police officer, pleaded guilty to handling a forged absentee ballot in the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary election. Herrera was sentenced to 90 days of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/375WJrO

Ronald DeCastro, an East Chicago police officer, pleaded guilty to a charge of voter fraud in connection with his misconduct during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary election. He did not live in East Chicago, so he used the address of his uncle in order to cast an absentee ballot in the election. DeCastro received a 60-day suspended jail sentence and was sentenced to 60 days of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zBAeHq, https://herit.ag/3kYe7XP, https://herit.ag/3x8KmWP

Terrance Lay, a city council candidate in the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary, pleaded guilty to procuring and handling an absentee ballot for his brother-in-law in violation of state law that forbids anyone other than the voter or a close relative from handling absentee ballots. Lay was the last of the 46 people convicted by the Joint Vote Fraud Task Force formed in the wake of the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral primary that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rB1GT9

John Carlyle and Ronald Komendat, a former police officer, both pleaded guilty to voting in precincts where they did not reside in the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. Both received six-month suspended sentences and were ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfS7c

Ricardo Alamillo, a former East Chicago assistant chief bailiff, was convicted of voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and received a one-and-a-half year suspended sentence and another one-and-a-half years of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BNfgHB

Tonya Griffin-Bronaugh, the sister of Terrance Lay, pleaded guilty to filling out and signing an application for an absentee ballot in the name of her former husband without his knowledge in connection with the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Her brother was a city council candidate in that election. Griffin-Bronaugh was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/376jzzA

Alicia and Ivan Dunbar pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and were given one year of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3y83Bkv

Mark Orosco pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and received a one year suspended sentence, one year of probation, and 100 hours of community service. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4rZfs

Mario Del Valle pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago elections. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 30 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rzE15u

Michael Harretos and Ezequiel Godinez were sentenced to one year of probation, community service, and fines for voting in another precinct in the 2003 East Chicago election. Fraud in the 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iWBE8K

Arthur, Elvia, and Armando Vera, Pedro Moro, and Yolanda Ramirez, pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4EZ4z

Jose Arroyo and Mabel Komendat were convicted of voting in another precinct after voting in an East Chicago election despite living in Hammond and Highland, respectively. They were both sentenced to one year probation and 50 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3i9HxR3

East Chicago Councilman Levones Tolbert was charged with offering money in exchange for votes, among other offenses. Tolbert pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized polling place entry and was sentenced to 30 days' probation. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/2Vf1wVg

Allan "Twig" Simmons, an operative for the Chicago mayor's campaign, was charged with three counts of attempted obstruction of justice and six counts of ballot fraud after persuading individuals to let him fill out their absentee ballots in exchange for jobs. He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraudulent application, showing, examination, receipt or delivery of ballots. He was sentenced to 3 years' probation and 100 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rANV6V

Raymond Carillo pleaded guilty to one count of voting in a precinct in which he did not live for the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f42NFH

Mr. Ashley Dunlop pleaded guilty to the charge of aiding the fraudulent application of a ballot in connection to misconduct surrounding the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary election. He was sentenced to one year probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3i79ZTF

Antonio and Alycia Mendiola pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct where they did not live during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. Both were sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/2TBzS4i

Eduardo Perez, Sr., pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving an absentee ballot in connection to the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democrat primary. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BLlMPc

Larry Battle was convicted of voting in a precinct in which he did not live for the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. Battle had a history of "crimes of dishonesty," prompting the judge--unpersuaded by Battle's "everybody was doing it" defense--to sentence him to two years in prison. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zENhbg

Tamika Lay pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct in which she did not live for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Though she initially called the errant vote a mistake, Lay eventually admitted that she wanted to cast a vote for her brother, Terrance Lay, who was a city council candidate for a different precinct. Lay was sentenced to one year of probation. At her sentencing hearing, she expressed frustration to the judge at being held accountable for her fraudulent act. She said, "People have been doing [fraudulently voting] for years, and all of a sudden they want to do something about it." Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral primary that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3yakLOj

Demetreos Hasapis, an East Chicago Fire Department captain, was convicted of voting outside the precinct in which he lived for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. He was sentenced to a 60-day jail sentence in the Lake County jail and 60 days' probation. Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/370beO2

Valerie McGowan pleaded guilty to one felony count of "voting in other precinct" during the ultimately-overturned 2003 East Chicago Mayoral election. McGowan was involved in a massive fraud scheme, and ultimately the results of the election overturned. She initially faced other charges, including fraudulent application for a ballot and perjury, which were dropped as part of her plea agreement. McGowan was sentenced to 18 months of probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4FbRl

Glenn Pitts pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of failure to cast or return a ballot in an authorized manner in connection with the overturned 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. Pitts originally claimed that he had been offered $30 in order to hand his ballot to another individual. He initially faced a multitude of charges, including perjury, false application for a ballot, and voting in another precinct, which were dismissed as part of his plea agreement. He was sentenced to 139 days in county jail.

Source: https://herit.ag/375WKMo

Michelle Chandler, a worker in the city controller's office, was charged with a fraudulent receipt of ballot, voting outside of her district, and perjury in connection to misconduct during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. She was found guilty of one count of perjury in a jury trial, a felony, and given one year of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3kYm67j

Dolores Croy pleaded guilty to voter fraud during the 2003 Democratic Primary in East Chicago, Indiana. She and her husband registered to vote and sent absentee ballots to the East Chicago voting district, using their business address. The couple's home address was actually in Hobart. Although both charges were Class D felonies, the charges were drastically reduced, and the couple only had to make a public apology and serve probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfTrM, https://herit.ag/3i5WG5C

Robert Croy pleaded guilty to voter fraud during the 2003 Democratic Primary in East Chicago, Indiana. He and his wife registered to vote and sent absentee ballots to the East Chicago voting district, using their business address. The couple's home address was actually in Hobart, IN. Although both charges were class D felonies, the charges were drastically reduced and the couple only had to make a public apology and serve probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfTrM, https://herit.ag/3i5WG5C