Update on Stolen Mail Ballots:
On October 31, 2016, the Altamonte Springs Police Department responded to the Spring Valley neighborhood, in reference to several residents reporting their mail ballots were stolen and forged.
Our investigation revealed approximately five (5) mail ballots were stolen, forged, and turned into the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections office. The fraudulent ballots were collected and analyzed for possible evidence. A fingerprint match and DNA evidence linked Bret Warren, 36, to the stolen ballots. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Warren, charging him with voter fraud. Warren was located and arrested on May 2, 2018 and booked into the Seminole County Jail on the warrant and several other charges.
The Altamonte Springs Police Department worked closely with the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections office throughout the investigation. Supervisor of Elections, Michael Ertel, provided the following comment:
"Our office reviews every single mail ballot which is returned, and these were flagged as potentially not being returned by the voters, as the signature on the outside of the mail ballot envelopes did not match the signature we have on file for the impacted voters. After discovery of this issue, the affected voters were allowed to cast provisional ballots, which were counted."
Today, we presented the Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc. & the ASPD Police Explorer Post #596 with the proceeds collected from our golf tournament last month. The generosity of the players, sponsors, and donors helped raise over $6,700! We are grateful for the continued support and look forward to next year!
A few special visitors stopped by the COPS Center with a basket full of goodies. In return, they left with some ASPD swag of their own! 😎
