Patrick H. Perea indicted in Tijeras voter fraud case
A federal grand jury indicted Patrick H. Perea of Tijeras on one count of fraudulent voting. The charge connects to an absentee ballot submitted during the 2024 general election cycle. Federal prosecutors announced the indictment against the 62-year-old resident.
Perea attempted to cast his deceased wife’s absentee ballot in October 2024. He submitted the document in Albuquerque to the Bureau of Elections of the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico stated these details in a release.
“Dead people can’t vote,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said in a news release. “Casting a ballot that belongs to someone else is a deliberate abuse of our election process and a federal crime.”
Federal authorities stated they investigate illegal voting to protect election integrity. The government seeks to prevent unlawful votes from diluting legitimate ballots.
The indictment carries severe penalties under federal statutes. Perea faces up to five years in prison if convicted. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000.
Federal grand juries review evidence presented by prosecutors to determine if probable cause exists for criminal charges. An indictment acts as a formal accusation rather than a conviction. Defendants maintain a presumption of innocence until a court proves guilt.
The case remains under prosecution by the federal court system serving Tijeras and surrounding communities.
