Six Texas officials, including a county judge, face criminal charges after allegedly paying cash for harvested ballots through mobile payment apps in a scheme that has rocked a small Texas community.
At a Glance
- Six Frio County officials were indicted on vote harvesting charges following a grand jury decision
- Officials allegedly used Cash App to pay for collecting and submitting absentee ballots
- County Judge Rochelle Camacho and former Elections Administrator Carlos Segura were among those charged
- The investigation began in August 2024 with search warrants executed across three counties
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office is leading the prosecution as part of broader election integrity efforts
Officials Charged in Vote Harvesting Operation
A months-long investigation in rural Texas has culminated in multiple arrests of local officials accused of orchestrating an illegal vote harvesting scheme. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the indictments of six individuals from Frio County on charges related to paying for ballot collection services. The charges follow search warrants executed in August 2024 across Frio, Atascosa, and Bexar Counties, leading to arrests on May 2 in the small county of approximately 18,000 residents southwest of San Antonio.
Among those indicted is Frio County Judge Rochelle Camacho, who faces three counts of vote harvesting. Former Frio County Elections Administrator Carlos Segura was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Other officials charged include Pearsall City Council members Ramiro Trevino and Racheal Garza, each indicted on one count of vote harvesting, and Pearsall Independent School District Trustee Adriann Ramirez, who faces three counts. Rosa Rodriguez, identified as an alleged vote harvester, was indicted on two counts.
Digital Payments for Ballots
Investigators allege that some officials used Cash App, a mobile payment service, to pay harvesters for collecting and submitting absentee ballots. Vote harvesting is classified as a third-degree felony in Texas when it involves monetary exchange. The practice of ballot harvesting itself—where designated individuals collect completed absentee ballots from voters and deliver them to election officials—is legal under federal law but subject to restrictions in many states, including Texas.
“The people of Texas deserve fair and honest elections, not backroom deals and political insiders rigging the system. Elected officials who think they can cheat to stay in power will be held accountable. No one is above the law,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The charges were brought under Texas Senate Bill 1, which specifically criminalizes compensated vote harvesting services. The law contains an exception for caregivers collecting ballots for eligible voters, such as those who are elderly or disabled. District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis emphasized the seriousness of the alleged offenses, stating that there would be “zero tolerance” for violations of voting rights, particularly when they affect vulnerable populations.
Part of Broader Election Integrity Efforts
These arrests represent the latest in a series of voter fraud cases pursued by Paxton’s office since the 2020 election. Previous cases include the January 2021 arrest of Raquel Rodriguez, four individuals charged with voter fraud in February 2021, and a Port Lavaca woman who pleaded guilty to 26 felony counts of voter fraud in June 2022. Paxton has made election integrity a cornerstone of his tenure as attorney general.
“Secure elections are the cornerstone of our republic. We are completely committed to protecting the security of the ballot box and the integrity of every legal vote. This means ensuring accountability for anyone committing election crimes,” added Paxton.
The City of Pearsall has acknowledged the indictments of its council members but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation. Frio County, which has recently leaned Republican in elections, now finds itself at the center of a case that could have implications for election practices across Texas. Critics, including former Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa, have questioned the motivations behind the investigations, suggesting they target Latino and Democratic regions disproportionately.
Legal Context and Controversy
The legal framework for these prosecutions has itself been contested. A federal court previously challenged the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1, the law under which the charges were brought. However, Paxton’s appeal allowed the state to continue investigations while legal challenges proceed. The law includes provisions that restrict certain voting methods, particularly targeting initiatives used in diverse urban areas like Harris County. The restrictions apply to 24-hour voting, drive-thru voting, and the unsolicited distribution of mail-in ballot applications.
“Violating the privacy or voting rights of our elderly or disabled community members will be met with zero tolerance,” said Audrey Gossett Louis.
As the cases against the six Frio County officials proceed through the legal system, they will likely draw attention to broader debates about election security measures, voter access, and the balance between preventing fraud and ensuring voting rights. The outcomes could influence election administration practices not only in Texas but potentially across other states examining their own election integrity measures.
