Mexican citizen pleads guilty to electoral fraud in Texas

Laura Janeth Garza, a Mexican citizen, pleaded guilty Thursday to voting illegally in the 2016 presidential election.

(Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

A Mexican citizen on Thursday pleaded guilty to illegally voting in the 2016 presidential election, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Laura Janeth Garza, 38, has pleaded guilty to charges of voter borrowing and ineligible voting, both of which are crimes, according to the Attorney General's office. Garza was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $ 10,000. She will be deported after serving her sentence.

According to a joint investigation by the Texas authorities, Garza stole a US citizen's identity documents and registered to vote in Harris County, located in the southeast of the state. Authorities said Garza used the pseudonym "Angie Yadira Zamora" to vote in 2004, 2012 and 2016.

Police discovered Garza's plan after a US citizen tried to obtain a passport, but discovered that Garza had already obtained one with the identity of the citizen, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

"The integrity of the elections is a top priority for my office, and those arrested and convicted like this clearly demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that the Texas elections remain free and fair," said Mr. Paxton. .

Garza's election fraud follows an initiative by Texas Governor Greg Abbot to strengthen sanctions for electoral fraud.