Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the indictment and arrest of six people, including five public officials, for election crimes related to a vote-harvesting scheme in Frio County, located just southwest of San Antonio.
According to affidavits and search warrants from November 2022, a county judge candidate provided authorities with evidence and recordings of the alleged wrongdoing.
Court documents allege that Carlos Segura, a former Frio County elections administrator, leaked confidential ballot information, including delivery details and mail ballot recipients, to Cheryl Denise Castillo. Castillo reportedly charged between $1,500 and $2,500 for her work.
Segura also allegedly concealed 2023 vote-by-mail applications “to impair the availability of the documents and records as evidence in any subsequent investigation related to the offense.”
Castillo allegedly led several Frio and Atascosa County residents to participate in vote harvesting of senior citizens, including in the Pine Hills Estates II subdivision in Pearsall. The operation involved illegally requesting mail-in ballots on behalf of elderly voters, coercing or manipulating their voting choices, and accessing and misusing confidential ballot information.
Under the Election Code, vote harvesting is when someone is paid to obtain votes through coercion, intimidation, forgery, or theft of mail-in ballots.
In 2023, Frio County District Attorney Audrey Louis (R-Frio) sent the claims to Paxton’s office.
In August 2024, Paxton’s Criminal Investigation Division executed search warrants in Frio, Atascosa, and Bexar Counties based on the allegations.
Louis and Paxton’s Election Integrity Unit presented their case to a grand jury on May 1, which resulted in multiple indictments:
- Three counts of vote harvesting for Rochelle Lozano Camacho (D-Frio), the Frio County Judge.
- One count of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence for Carlos Segura, a former Frio County elections administrator.
- One count of vote harvesting for Ramiro Trevino, a Pearsall City Council member.
- One count of vote harvesting for Racheal Garza, a Pearsall City Council member.
- Three counts of vote harvesting for Adriann Ramirez, a Pearsall ISD trustee.
- Two counts of vote harvesting for Rosa Rodriguez, a campaign worker.
Records indicate that Rodriguez paid Camacho for vote-harvesting services in May 2022 and again in May 2023. The payments went to Ramirez, who allegedly made three separate Cash App payments in April 2023 to Cheryl Denise Castillo in exchange for vote-harvesting services.
Court records show that Garza also used the Cash App for vote-harvesting services.
Meanwhile, Trevino “knowingly provided vote harvesting services to Camacho in exchange for money, gas, lunches, and/or employment with Frio County” in September 2022.
As third-degree felonies, evidence tampering and vote harvesting carry potential prison sentences of two to ten years and a fine of up to $10,000.
The sheriff’s office told KENS 5 that all suspects turned themselves in except for Camacho, who is reportedly dealing with a medical issue.
In 2015, as president of the Pearsall school board, Camacho forcibly shut down a public hearing, ejecting parents who were demanding answers after the Texas Education Agency revoked Pearsall ISD’s accreditation following four years of failing to meet state academic standards.
“The City of Pearsall is aware of indictments recently received by the 81st Judicial District Attorney from an investigation conducted by the Texas Office of Attorney General,” Bianca Ramirez, Public Information Officer for the City of Pearsall, told Texas Scorecard. “Due to the sensitivity of this matter and in our efforts to not interfere with any existing or ongoing investigations, the City has no comment at this time.”
Despite their arrests one day before the 2025 municipal election, Trevino and Garza kept their seats as they ran unopposed.
“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 Paxton. “My office will continue to work with Frio County District Attorney Audrey Louis to protect the integrity of our elections.”
Each received a $2,000 bond per count. All five have bonded out, and their arraignments are scheduled for May 23.
“Violating the privacy and voting rights of elderly or disabled individuals will not be tolerated,” District Attorney Louis stated. “Targeting these vulnerable voters to sway an election or secure a political position is a direct attack on the principles of our democracy. We are committed to protecting every citizen’s right to vote freely, fairly, and without intimidation.”
Paxton’s Election Integrity Unit and Frio County authorities continue investigating the case. The Frio County Sheriff’s Office did not respond when asked for the status of Cheryl Denise Castillo.
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