Frio County vote harvesting investigation: Breaking down who is accused of election crimes

SAN ANTONIO — As an investigation into possible vote harvesting in Frio County continues, documents related to the probe are shedding light on the extent of the alleged election crimes—including the local officials who authorities say are involved. 

A dozen individuals have been accused participating in vote harvesting operations – referring to when people deliver ballots for specific  candidates, usually in return for compensation – but only six so far have been arrested and indicted as a result of the investigation led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office. Frio County is just southwest of San Antonio. 

Several others are believed to have either secured mail-in ballots for specific candidates or paid alleged vote harvesters to do it for them. Those individuals’ cell phones have been seized and investigators with the attorney general’s office are trying to get permission to look through them for additional evidence, according to search warrant documents. 

“Violating the privacy and voting rights of elderly or disabled individuals will not be tolerated,” said Judicial District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis, who represents Frio County. “Targeting these vulnerable voters to sway an election or secure a political position is a direct attack on the principles of our democracy. We are committed to protecting every citizen’s right to vote freely, fairly, and without intimidation.”

Here’s everyone named and accused in the investigation so far. 

Camacho turned herself in earlier this month amid accusations of voter harvesting. She was indicted on three counts, but it remains unclear whom she paid to secure ballots, or when. 

Camacho was released on a $2,000 bond; her arraignment is set for Friday. In the meantime, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has suspended Camacho without pay until the legal process has been navigated. 

Castillo is one of two women the investigation zeroed in on. According to records, she and Maria del Carmen Vela were most consistently mentioned by witnesses in Frio County. 

Records accuse her of collecting ballots on behalf of other candidates or otherwise offering to do so, including for a then-Frio County sheriff candidate. In February 2023, she allegedly texted four candidates to offer her services, saying she would collect ballots for them for $2,100. Investigators found she had operated in her capacity as a vote harvester for so long that “the community has a general belief that she worked elections in a legitimate capacity,” according to records. 

Castillo has yet to be formally charged, but her phone was seized in March 2024 amid the yearslong investigation. Authorities are seeking permission to look through it for additional evidence. 

The other women at the center of the investigation is Vela, whose cell phone was seized on May 16. According to records, multiple people told investigators that Vela came to their homes during the mail-in voting period in May 2023, and the team supporting a then-Pearsall ISD school board candidate allegedly paid her in Dr. Peppers, cigarettes and gas money to secure votes. 

That candidate admitted she was “hopeful” Vela could help her. 

Vela also admitted to helping secure votes for her brother, Joe Vela, in his race for county commissioner, records say. He won his seat. 

Vela won his last election and currently represents Precinct 1 on the Frio County Commissioners Court. 

But records say he enlisted the help of his sister, Maria del Carmen Vela, paying her to secure ballots to help him in 2024 primary and primary runoff races. His cell phone was also seized as authorities look to gather more potential evidence. 

Carrizales’ cell phone was also seized by authorities amid the ongoing investigation. Records say a woman paid Castillo $3,000 to secure votes on his behalf in 2024, despite Castillo telling them she was being investigated. 

The county’s former elections overseer was indicted on a count of tampering with or fabrication physical evidence. According to records, Segura provided ballot status-tracking information to Castillo as well as information on the neighborhoods Vela was targeting for her own alleged voter harvesting efforts. 

He was indicted earlier this month and is set to be arraigned Friday. 

Ramirez, whose tenure as Pearsall ISD school board member ends in two years, was indicted on three counts of voter harvesting. It’s unknown at what point she allegedly paid someone to secure votes on her behalf. 

She was released on a $2,000 bond earlier this month, and is set to be arraigned Friday. 

Benavides’s cell phone was seized this month as part of the investigation. 

Records accuse her of paying Castillo $2,100 for voter harvesting in 2023 for the school board election; records also say Benavides offered to help Castillo with the process. Investigators are now hoping to review her cell phone for additional evidence. 

Authorities identified Rodriguez as a Frio County election worker when she was arrested earlier this month, and subsequently indicted on two counts of voter harvesting. She’s been released on a $2,000 bond and is set to be arraigned Friday. 

It’s unclear as of now how authorities believe Rodriguez was involved in voter harvesting efforts. 

Trevino, currently on Pearsall City Council, was indicted on one count of voter harvesting this month. It’s unclear at this point how he’s accused of illegally securing ballots. 

He was released on a $2,000 bond and will be arraigned Friday. 

Garza, also sitting on Pearsall City Council, was indicted on voter harvesting charges this month. It’s unclear at this point how she’s accused of illegally securing ballots. 

She was released on a $2,000 bond and will be arraigned Friday. 

Trevino-Rodriguez’s cell phone was seized on May 15 amid the investigation. According to the investigation’s records, she’s accused of paying Castillo to secure ballots on her behalf in 2023; Castillo allegedly texted her and three others to offer her services in February 2023.