Grand Jury returns indictments in Benton County voter fraud case


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Grand Jury returns indictments in Benton County voter fraud case

Attorney General Jim Hood confirmed Friday that indictments have been served on 16 people connected to a Benton County voter fraud investigation.

The investigation stems from the August 7, 2007, primary election and the August 27, 2007, runoff elections in Benton County. Indictments were returned by a Benton County Grand Jury on February 27 against the following people:

Ronnie Wilkerson, age 55, 311 Wilkerson Road, Blue Mountain. Indicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit voter fraud
Jerry Huck Childers, age 47, 1304 Bankhead Highway, Hickory Flat. Indicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts voter fraud.
Henry Massey, age 42, 115 Spruce Street, Hickory Flat. Indicted on one count conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts voter fraud.
Arnold Rooker Sr. ,age 62, 930 Arnold Road, Hickory Flat. Indicted on three counts of voter fraud.
Tate King, age 67, 56 Canaan Road, Ashland. Indicted on one count conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts of voter fraud.
Jasper Buggs, Sr., age 58, 1591 Hardaway Church Road, Michigan City. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and four counts of voter fraud.
Stanley Maurice Warren, age 33, 414 Oak Street, Hickory Flat. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and three counts of voter fraud.
David Massey, age 40, P.O. Box 463, Hickory Flat. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and three counts of voter fraud.
Larry Tip Massey, age 42, 504 Hopper Street, New Albany. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and three counts of voter fraud.
Kenny Ray Bowen, age 41, 3525 Hoover Road, Holly Springs. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts of voter fraud.
Billy E. Street, age 43, 2095 Old Highway 78, Hickory Flat. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts of voter fraud.
James Bullock, age 41, 1403 Little Egypt Road, Ashland. Indicted on five counts of voter fraud.
Cooper Epps , age 52, 1425 Little Egypt Road, Ashland. Indicted on four counts of voter fraud.
Clint Moffitt, age 30, 232 Leard Street, Hickory Flat. Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and one count of voter fraud.
Lillie Jean Norton, age 59, 47 Lamar Road, Ashland. Indicted on one count of conpsiracy to commit voter fraud and one count of voter fraud.
Ada Moore Tucker, age 50, 14 John L. Skelton Road, Ashland. Indicted on one count conspiracy of commit to voter fraud and one count voter fraud.

“The Benton County Grand Jury has spoken that it will not tolerate vote-buying,” Hood said. “Now the people of Benton County have an opportunity to end a practice of the past, which has for years impeded their right to fair elections.”

All 16 of those indicted will be arraigned in Benton County Circuit Court on March 17 at 9 a.m. As with all cases, the charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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