FDLE arrests 17 in five counties for allegedly casting illegal votes

FLORIDA – Seventeen Florida residents from Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties have been arrested and charged with breaking Florida’s elections laws by allegedly voting in the 2020 election when they were not eligible to vote, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said in an announcement.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said the 17 individuals were convicted murderers or were convicted for committing felony sexual offenses and therefore were not eligible to vote.

“Today is about our honest, hardworking, and law-abiding Floridians,” said  Mark Glass, FDLE Acting Commissioner.

“In Florida, your vote matters.  To that end, we will do everything in our power to ensure those who cannot legally vote never cast a ballot.”

According to the FDLE, a multi-county investigation was initiated in conjunction with the Florida Department of State and Office of Statewide Prosecution. The FDLE said its agents and analysts reviewed dozens of allegations of voter fraud from five circuits.

The 17 individuals named below were arrested last week. Three additional individuals from the operation reportedly have outstanding arrest warrants for allegedly voting illegally in the 2020 election.

The FDLE said each face one count each of false affirmation – voting or elections (F.S. 104.011(1)) and voting as an unqualified elector (F.S. 104.15). Both charges are third-degree felonies. Third-degree felonies are punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Hillsborough County

• Romona Brown, 55, of Tampa, was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
• Douglas Oliver, 59, of Tampa, was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
• Tony Patterson, 43, of Tampa, was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
• Nathan Hart, 49, of Gibsonton, was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
• Hubert Jack, 65, of Tampa, was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
• Byron Leonard Smith, 65, of Tampa, was booked into Hillsborough County.

Orange County

• Peter Washington, 59, of Orlando, was booked into Orange County Jail.
• Michelle Stribling, 52, of Eatonville, was booked into Orange County Jail.
• Jerry Foster, 72, of Orlando, was booked into Orange County Jail.

Palm Beach County

• Leo Grant Jr, 55, of South Bay, was booked into West Palm Beach County Jail.
• Luis Villaran, 63, of Delray Beach, was booked into West Palm Beach County Jail.
• Robert Simpson, 64, of Pahokee, was booked into West Palm Beach County Jail.

Broward County

• Terry Hubbard, 63, of Pompano Beach, was issued notice to appear.
• Nathaniel Singleton, 71, of Ft. Lauderdale, was booked into Broward County Jail.
• Eugene Suggs, 65, of Miami, was booked into Broward County Jail.

Miami-Dade County

• Robert Lee Wood, 56, of Opa Locka, was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
• Ronald Lee Miller, 57, of Miami, was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.