Election Fraud Cases

Joseph Pedraza and Constance D. Simmons-Pedraza

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

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

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

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

Kristy Ellen Dettle

Kristy Dettle from Fridley, Minnesota was charged with voting more than once in the same election, making or signing a false certificate, and making a false or untrue statement on an absentee ballot application. She pleaded guilty to voting more than once, and the other charges were dismissed. She was sentenced to one year of probation and a fine of $1,000.

Source: https://herit.ag/3y83GVl , https://herit.ag/2WixEYy

Brian Bland, Bobbie Jean Cheeks, Cortez Cowan, Golden Gibson, Radonna Marie Smith, Anthony Reliford, Kenneth Williams, and Tyaira Williams

Eight St. Louis voter registration workers pleaded guilty to election fraud for submitting false registration cards in the 2006 election in St. Louis. The workers were employed by liberal community organizing group, ACORN.

Source: bit.ly/2eiSQ5e, bit.ly/2tcCrGI

Joel Neal

Joel Neal, of St. Louis, Missouri, voted twice in the 2008 primary election: once in person for himself, and once via absentee ballot in the name of his deceased mother. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one month of home confinement and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4s8zw

Vincent Sculco

Vincent Sculco, Republican Chairman for the town of North Greenbush, pleaded guilty to forging a signature on a nomination petition for a 2007 election. The investigation revealed that Sculco may have forged more than 40 signatures. Sculco was sentenced to the sheriff's work-order program.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zLz64n

Jalynn Stowers

Jalynn Stowers, of Hardin County, pleaded guilty to one count of prohibitions relating to petitions or declarations, an election fraud charge. She was sentenced to two years of community control and ordered to pay a $50 fine, court costs, and attorney's fees.

Source: https://herit.ag/376jADE , (Case #20072005)

Kevin Duffy

Kevin Duffy pleaded guilty to voting early in Ohio, where he was not a resident, in the presidential election. He was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine, along with 250 hours of community service.

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

Christine Freshour

Christine Freshour, of Riverside, pleaded guilty to election fraud. She was ordered to pay court costs and attorney's fees.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iVp3CY, (Case #CR 07 06 0125)

Christopher Hargrove

Christopher Hargrove pleaded guilty to one charge of voter registration fraud. He also pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree felony theft offense. He received two suspended nine-month prison sentences and was ordered to complete one year of community control.

Source: https://herit.ag/3l5QmNs, https://herit.ag/3i9uiQm

Danielle Phillips

Danielle Phillips, of Hardin County, pleaded guilty to voter fraud. She was sentenced to three years' community control and 75 hours' community service, and was ordered to pay a $50 fine, court costs, and attorney's fees.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zGwGUp , (Case #20072007)

Christopher Campbell

Mayor Christopher Campbell was convicted of voter fraud, forgery, and official misconduct. Campbell filled out 16 absentee ballots, then found and persuaded voters who had not made it to the polls to cast them in their own names. Campbell was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f3VxcZ, https://herit.ag/3BKBIkL

Mickensey Oliveria

Mickensey Oliveria pleaded no contest to ballot petition fraud. Oliveria was charged with providing a false affidavit for a referendum or recall petition or the signatures appended thereto.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4rYIq, Superior Court of California, Case #1090738