The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced the arrests of 11 convicted felons for voting in local elections in 2020 and 2022 and said that four deceased felons also voted in those elections.
“In late January, at the request of 18th Judicial District Attorney General Ray Whitley, TBI agents began investigating reports of 15 convicted felons unlawfully voting in various Sumner County elections between 2020 and 2022,” according to a TBI press release. “Agents determined four of the felons were deceased prior to the investigation. Agents investigated the remaining 11 individuals, determining all had been convicted of at least one felony and registered to vote in Sumner County after their convictions, completing documents that included language regarding not having been convicted of a felony.”
On May 10, a Sumner County jury returned indictments for the 11 felons on one count each of Illegal Registration or Voting and one count of False Entries on Official Registration or Election Documents.
The following is the list of defendants:
- Gregory Blackmon (DOB 1/6/1962), Clarksville
- Antione Bridges (DOB 2/14/1979), Cottontown
- Bradley Crowell (DOB 6/12/1991), Hendersonville
- Jerry Dodd (DOB 12/31/1974), Portland
- Terry Ewin (DOB 11/3/1965), Gallatin
- Shannon Holt, Sr. (DOB 10/9/1968), Gallatin
- James McGee (DOB 7/19/1964), Hendersonville
- Rita Poindexter (DOB 1/16/1960), Gallatin
- Larry Russell, Sr. (DOB 9/23/1954), Gallatin
- Ladasha Warfield (DOB 1/10/1988), Gallatin
- Bobby Williams (DOB 8/5/1961), Portland
All of the suspects were arrested and booked into the Sumner County Jail. Their bond was set at $5,000.
According to Secretary of State Trey Hargett, Tennessee has a sophisticated model for reporting potential voter fraud.
“Our office is here to help Tennesseans cast their ballot and protect the integrity of our elections,” he said on the secretary of state’s website. “If you have questions or concerns about your voting experience, please contact us by text or by calling our Electing Day hotline.”
The state has a Text to Report Voter Fraud system, and anyone who witnesses voter fraud can text “TN” to 45995.
“They will receive a secure link where they can submit their concerns directly to the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections,” the site says. “The Division of Elections reviews reports of possible voter fraud, misinformation, intimidation, or any Election Day impropriety and works with county election commissions, district attorneys and other parties to take appropriate action.”
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter/X.