Scott County couple indicted on voter fraud charges
By News Sentinel staffPosted July 10, 2013 at 2:07 p.m.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents arrested an Oneida couple Tuesday night after a Scott County grand jury indicted them earlier in the day on illegal voter registration fraud charges, officials said.Christina Botts, 37, was indicted on 13 counts and Carrie Botts, 29, was indicted on one count, according to a news release from TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm.
Officials said both were taken into custody at a relative’s residence in Helenwood and were taken to the Scott County Jail. Christina Botts’ bond was set at $25,000 and Carrie Botts’ bond was set at $1,500, but further booking information was not available, authorities said.
In October of 2012, the 8th Judicial District Attorney General requested TBI to investigate allegations of the couple fraudulently registering voters in Scott County, Helm said.
Officials said Christina Botts registered 43 individuals during September 2012 and Carrie Botts registered one person and forged a signature on the voter registration application. They were altering address information on voter registration forms so it would appear the individuals lived in the city of Huntsville, according to the news release.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office was also involved in the case, Helm said.
More details as they develop online and in Thursday’s News Sentinel. |
