Eleven individuals face charges after authorities uncovered a scheme involving deceased felons illegally voting in the 2020 and 2022 elections. This investigation, spurred by reports of unlawful voting, led to the suspects’ arrests and raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The findings highlight the urgent need for robust measures to prevent voter fraud.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported uncovering instances of voter fraud during the 2020 and 2022 elections in Sumner County. Led by special agents at the request of 18th Judicial District Attorney General Ray Whitley, the probe revealed a troubling trend of convicted felons illegally participating in elections.
The investigation, prompted by reports of 15 convicted felons unlawfully voting, discovered that four of the felons were deceased before the inquiry began. However, the remaining 11 individuals had been convicted of at least one felony and registered to vote in Sumner County post-conviction. These individuals completed documents falsely affirming they had not been convicted of a felony.
On May 10th, the Sumner County Grand Jury indicted the following individuals, each charged with one count of Illegal Registration or Voting and one count of False Entries on Official Registration or Election Documents:
- Gregory Blackmon of Clarksville
- Antione Bridges of Cottontown
- Bradley Crowell of Hendersonville
- Jerry Dodd of Portland
- Terry Ewin of Gallatin
- Shannon Holt Sr. of Gallatin
- James McGee of Hendersonville
- Rita Poindexter of Gallatin
- Larry Russell Sr. of Gallatin
- Ladasha Warfield of Gallatin
- Bobby Williams of Portland
The TBI, with assistance from the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, arrested these individuals and booked each into the Sumner County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
This development underscores ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process and the need for vigilance in safeguarding against voter fraud. The investigation highlights the importance of maintaining the electoral system’s integrity and ensuring all eligible voters can participate lawfully.
Voter fraud undermines the foundation of democracy, eroding trust in the electoral process and disenfranchising legitimate voters. By holding those responsible accountable, authorities aim to uphold fairness and transparency in elections. Efforts to combat voter fraud continue to evolve, with technology and enhanced monitoring playing key roles in detecting and preventing unlawful activity. However, this case serves as a reminder that vigilance and diligence are paramount in safeguarding the democratic process against manipulation and abuse.
