The election fraud scandal in Frio County, Texas, is growing fast. Authorities have arrested nine more individuals this week, bringing the total number of indicted officials to fifteen.
This investigation reveals deep political corruption tied to illegal vote harvesting across South Texas.
Top Democrat Leader Among Latest Arrests
One of the most high-profile names indicted is Manuel Medina, the former chair of the Texas Tejano Democrats and a past San Antonio mayoral candidate.
According to investigators, Medina was recorded discussing a plan to illegally gather votes for Texas House candidate Cecilia Castellano.
Two former mayors are also now facing charges.
- Mary Ann Obregon, ex-mayor of Dilley, was charged with two counts of vote harvesting.
- Petra Davina Trevino, former mayor of Pearsall, faces one count of vote harvesting.
Officials say these efforts were part of a larger scheme to manipulate election results.
Election Integrity Probe Exposes Corruption
The case started in 2022 after Mary Moore, a candidate in the Democratic primary for Frio County Judge, filed a complaint. Moore accused her opponent, Rochelle Camacho, of using paid operatives to collect mail-in ballots, complete applications, and transport voters to polling places.
Sources say workers were paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for their involvement.
Investigators believe the scheme targeted elderly residents in Pearsall. In some cases, individuals hid ballots under their clothes to avoid detection.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in May 2025 that six people had already been arrested, including Judge Camacho. Though Camacho initially delayed turning herself in due to health issues, she later surrendered to authorities.
Her sister, a trustee on the local school board, was also charged.
Full List of Indicted Officials So Far
The state’s election integrity investigation uncovered widespread involvement. Those previously indicted include:
- Rochelle Camacho, Frio County Judge – 3 counts of vote harvesting
- Carlos Segura, former Elections Administrator – tampering with evidence
- Ramiro Trevino, Pearsall City Council member – vote harvesting
- Racheal Garza, Pearsall City Council member – vote harvesting
- Adriann Ramirez, Pearsall ISD Trustee – 3 counts of vote harvesting
- Rosa Rodriguez, alleged ballot harvester – 2 counts of vote harvesting
All but Camacho were arrested on May 2, 2025. Camacho turned herself in shortly after.
Nine More Arrested This Week
District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis confirmed the following additional indictments in connection to the case:
- Manuel Medina, former Bexar County Democratic Party Chair – 2 counts of vote harvesting
- Petra Davina Trevino, former Pearsall mayor – vote harvesting
- Inelda Rodriguez, ex-Dilley council member – 3 counts of vote harvesting
- Mary Ann Obregon, former Dilley mayor – 2 counts of vote harvesting
- Rachel Leal – vote harvesting
- Cecilia Castellano, former Texas House candidate – 2 counts of vote harvesting
- Susanna Flores Carrizales – vote harvesting
- Raul Carrizales III, Frio County Commissioner – vote harvesting
- Maricela Garcia Benavides, Pearsall ISD Board Secretary – vote harvesting
Texas Officials Promise Accountability
Attorney General Paxton stated that no one is above the law. He emphasized that Texas will continue fighting election fraud to ensure fair and honest elections.
The investigation, which stretches across Frio, Atascosa, and Bexar Counties, remains active. More arrests may follow as authorities work to expose the full scale of the alleged vote-harvesting network.
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