Former San Luis mayor accused of conspiracy, forgery, and ballot abuse

New grand jury brings new indictment against Guillermina Fuentes

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Attorney General on Tuesday announced new charges against San Luis' former mayor in connection with the August 2020 Arizona primary election.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich released the following statement on the case against Guillermina Fuentes:

In December 2020, Fuentes was indicted on one count of Ballot Abuse, also known as “ballot harvesting.” That charge, which is also included in the new indictment, alleges that during the August 2020 Primary Election, Fuentes knowingly collected four voted ballots from other persons, in violation of Arizona law. The early ballots were deposited into a ballot box on Election Day, and were processed and counted by the Yuma County Recorder during the election. Arizona law only provides for a family member, household member, or caregiver of the voter to collect voted or unvoted early ballots from another person.

-Attorney General Mark Brnovich - Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Fuentes now faces three additional felony charges: conspiracy, forgery, and an additional count of ballot abuse. The indictment accuses her of getting someone else's early ballot, marking it, signing it, and then turning it in.

Ballot harvesting on its own carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a $150,000 fine.

RELATED: San Luis residents accused of “ballot harvesting”

The grand jury also indicted Alma Juarez, another San Luis resident, for ballot abuse in December. Juarez does not face additonal charges.

Fuentes currently serves of the board of the Gadsden Elementary School District. She has pleaded not guilty.

News 11's Cody Lee is taking a closer look at the case against Fuentes. Look for his reports beginning on the Early Edition at 5.