A Democratic judge in Frio County, Texas, faces serious allegations of running an illegal vote-harvesting operation during her 2022 primary campaign.

According to The Daily Caller, Judge Rochelle Lozano Camacho has been indicted on three counts of vote harvesting alongside five other individuals, including her sister, the county trustee, and two Pearsall city council members.

The investigation began after Mary Moore, Camacho's opponent in the Democratic primary runoff, filed a complaint alleging systematic voter fraud.

Moore accused Camacho of hiring Democratic operatives to collect mail ballots, complete applications, and transport voters to polling locations, paying them between $1,500 and $2,500 for their services.

Investigation reveals elaborate voter fraud scheme

The alleged operation specifically targeted elderly voters in a Pearsall subdivision. Investigators discovered that one of Camacho's associates attempted to conceal ballots under her clothing and used multiple vehicles to avoid detection.

The scheme proved successful in securing Camacho's victory. She initially won the primary by 157 votes before securing the runoff election with a 72-vote margin out of 322 total ballots cast.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office has taken a strong stance against the alleged fraud. Paxton, who is planning to challenge incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn in 2026, emphasized his commitment to prosecuting corrupt officials.

Legal consequences and political implications

Vote harvesting, which involves third parties collecting and delivering completed absentee or mail-in ballots, is illegal in Texas. The practice carries severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

While five suspects were arrested on May 2, Judge Camacho remains free and will be processed at a later date, according to the attorney general's statement.

This case adds to Texas's ongoing efforts to combat election fraud. In 2020, Paxton's office charged four individuals, including a county commissioner, with similar vote harvesting offenses.

Paxton issued a stern warning to elected officials engaging in fraudulent activities. He stated:

Elected officials who think they can cheat to stay in power will be held accountable. No one is above the law.

Full extent of the election scandal emerges

Judge Rochelle Lozano Camacho, who campaigned on a platform of unity and progression for Frio County, stands accused of orchestrating an illegal vote-harvesting operation during her 2022 primary campaign. The indictment alleges she targeted elderly voters and employed paid operatives to manipulate the election outcome.

Five other individuals, including her sister and local officials, face related charges in what investigators describe as a coordinated effort to subvert the democratic process. The case will proceed through the Texas judicial system, with Camacho scheduled for processing while the other suspects remain in custody following their May 2 arrests.