Vote Scam EXPLODES—Judge, Mayors INDICTED

Ballots in boxes with American flag background

Fifteen Texas Democrats, including a sitting judge and two former mayors, now face criminal indictments in a Frio County vote harvesting scandal so outrageous it could make even the most jaded political observer question if fair elections even stand a chance in some Democrat strongholds.

At a Glance

Fifteen Democratic officials and operatives indicted for vote harvesting crimes in Frio County, Texas
The scheme targeted elderly voters, allegedly exchanging cash for illegal ballot collection
High-profile local Democrats, including a sitting county judge and former mayors, are among those charged
The investigation, prompted by a whistleblower Democrat, is ongoing and may result in further arrests

Web of Corruption: What the Indictments Reveal

In a move that has rocked South Texas, grand juries handed down indictments for fifteen Democratic officials and operatives in Frio County, charging them with an elaborate vote harvesting scheme that targeted the most vulnerable voters—elderly citizens. The accused include sitting Frio County Judge Rochelle Lozano Camacho, former Pearsall Mayor Petra Davina Trevino, former Dilley Mayor Mary Ann Obregon, and a former Texas House candidate, Cecilia Castellano. These aren’t fringe players; they’re the local Democratic establishment—those trusted with upholding the law and representing the people—now accused of trampling on the Constitution and making a mockery of democracy.

The scheme, which began to unravel after the contentious 2022 Democratic primary runoff for Frio County Judge, allegedly involved operatives collecting, completing, and submitting mail ballots in exchange for cash payments of up to $2,500. Elderly residents in Pearsall and Dilley were targeted, with ballots allegedly concealed, applications filled out en masse, and vehicles shuffled to throw off investigators. Rather than a one-off instance, authorities describe a coordinated effort to rig elections and keep the local Democratic machine in power—an operation that ultimately triggered a multi-year probe by state and local prosecutors.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and 81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis have led the charge in bringing these indictments, emphasizing the case as a warning shot to anyone thinking of undermining election integrity in Texas. All fifteen indicted individuals have been arrested or turned themselves in, with charges ranging from vote harvesting to evidence tampering. The investigation is ongoing, and officials warn more arrests may be on the horizon as they sift through the tangled web of corruption that has cast a long shadow over Frio County’s elections.

How the Scheme Unraveled and Who’s Involved

The unraveling of this Democratic vote harvesting scheme began after Mary Moore, a Democrat herself and candidate in the 2022 Frio County Judge primary, filed a formal complaint. Moore alleged that her opponent—now-indicted Judge Camacho—hired an operative to collect and manipulate mail ballots, pay for voter transportation, and evade detection. Investigators allege the ring included other officials, from the local elections administrator, Carlos Segura, to the heads of Democratic political groups like Manuel Medina, the influential Texas State Tejano Democrats Chair. The operation reportedly paid thousands in cash for votes and manipulated official documents to ensure victory for their chosen candidates.

The scale of this scandal dwarfs the isolated incidents Texas has prosecuted in the past. It underscores a disturbing reality: when political power becomes the prize, some officials will stop at nothing—laws, ethics, or basic decency be damned. This isn’t just about one crooked judge or a rogue mayor; it’s about a network of local Democrats allegedly working in concert to subvert the will of the people. The power dynamics at play reveal a culture of entitlement and impunity, where those sworn to uphold democracy instead treat elections as a rigged game.

Election Integrity Under Fire: Fallout and the Path Forward

The fallout from the Frio County scandal is already being felt. Multiple officials have been suspended or removed from office, while the community faces the daunting task of restoring faith in local governance. For the Democratic Party in Texas, the indictments are a PR disaster, fueling calls for stricter election laws and oversight—not just from Republicans, but from everyday citizens sick of seeing their votes devalued by backroom deals and ballot-stuffing schemes.

The political implications could ripple far beyond Frio County. This case hands ammunition to those demanding tighter controls on mail-in ballots and third-party collection, especially as Democrats nationally continue to push for expanded absentee voting. For Republicans and constitutional conservatives, the scandal is clear evidence that election integrity laws are not just necessary but urgent. For those still clinging to the fantasy that voter fraud is a myth, Frio County stands as a damning rebuke. The message is simple: if we don’t enforce the rules, the cheaters win—and the American people lose.