Uthmeier, DeSantis announce 20 new election fraud cases across Florida

flvoicenews.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida officials announced Thursday that 20 people are facing charges for allegedly voting illegally in state elections, including the 2024 general election.

Attorney General James Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the cases during a news conference in Tallahassee.

The Attorney General’s Office said 16 of the defendants are illegal aliens accused of registering to vote by falsely claiming to be U.S. citizens and then casting ballots. Four others are convicted felons accused of voting while they were still on probation.

“Florida will not allow anyone to steal the vote of Americans at the ballot box,” Uthmeier said.

The cases began after the Florida Department of State’s election crimes office and county election officials reviewed voter records. Federal immigration records were also used to verify the citizenship status of registered voters

Several of the defendants are from Southwest Florida.

Astrid Shamatu Navarrete Quintana, 24, of Fort Myers, is a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident. Prosecutors say she registered to vote in August 2024 after falsely claiming she was a U.S. citizen. She allegedly voted in person in the November 2024 general election.

Kadian Gabrielle Amai Johnson, 29, of Lehigh Acres, is a Jamaican national and lawful permanent resident. Prosecutors say she registered in September 2024, falsely claimed she was a citizen and voted on Election Day.

Manon M. Raux, 62, of Naples, is a Canadian national and lawful permanent resident. She is accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship when she registered to vote in September 2024 and then voting early in October.

James Mark Hollingsworth, 62, of Lake Suzy, is also a Canadian national and lawful permanent resident. Prosecutors say he voted by mail in both the 2024 primary and general elections. After receiving a notice about his citizenship status, Hollingsworth allegedly emailed his local elections office and acknowledged that he was a permanent resident and had been voting in Florida.

The charges are third-degree felonies, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Most of the defendants could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted as charged, while Hollingsworth could face up to 20 years.

The cases cover nine Florida counties and will be handled by the state’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

DeSantis said Florida has “zero tolerance for voter fraud.”

Florida created its Office of Election Crimes and Security and state officials said more than 100 election fraud-related cases have now been prosecuted since Uthmeier took office.

During the news conference, DeSantis was also asked about the new Association of State and Local Election Officials, which is aimed at bringing election officials from different states together.

DeSantis said he does not expect Florida employees to be sent to work in other states or state money to be used for the organization.

“I don’t think we’re going to spend anything,” DeSantis said, adding that the nonprofit is expected to be funded through charitable contributions.