Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Arrest in Starr County Ballot Harvesting Case
STARR COUNTY, TX — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest of Modesta Vela in Starr County, accused of operating an illegal ballot harvesting scheme during the 2022 general election.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the indictment follows a years-long investigation into a ballot harvesting operation that allegedly targeted voters in Texas over the age of 65. The investigation concluded that Vela intentionally and knowingly attempted to influence a voter’s ballot during the election process, an offense punishable as a state jail felony under Texas law.
Following the indictment, Vela was arrested in Starr County on September 4. She now faces prosecution for her alleged role in the scheme.
“Criminals trying to steal our elections and rig the democratic process will be found, arrested, and prosecuted,” said Attorney General Paxton in a statement. “Modesta Vela was trying to take advantage of voters and broke the law by illegally ballot harvesting and targeting a Texan seeking to engage in our elections. Now, it’s time for Vela to answer for her actions in court.”
The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that election fraud remains a serious threat and said the prosecution of cases like this is essential to protecting the integrity of Texas elections.
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