Hood announces 2 guilty in Benton County voter fraud
Jackson, MS–A seven day jury trial has ended with a guilty verdict in two Benton County Voter Fraud cases, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.
The decision came yesterday (Monday, June 29) against Clinton Moffitt, age 30, of 232 Leard Street in Hickory Flat, MS and Ada Moore Tucker, age 50, of 14 John L. Skelton Road in Ashland, MS before Judge Andrew K. Howorth in Benton County Circuit Court. The jury found both defendants guilty of one count conspiracy to commit voter fraud and not guilty of one count each of voter fraud.
Judge Howorth delayed sentencing after a request for a pre-sentencing investigation by the defense. Moffitt and Tucker both face a maximum sentence of five years behind bars.
“I was proud of the Benton County Jury for standing up against vote buying,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “I’m just sorry the defendants put the members of the jury in that position. Hopefully, these convictions will send the message that Benton Countians will not tolerate vote buying.”
Judge Howorth will sentence Moffitt and Tucker on July 14th in Ashland, MS. These cases are the first two of sixteen indictments to be heard in Benton County concerning voter fraud issues.
This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Stan Alexander and Brandon Ogburn with the Public Integrity Division of the Attorney General’s Office.
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Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
