MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Friday that the state Grand Jury for Shelby County has returned additional indictments following an investigation into allegations of voter fraud related to elections held in 2006 in Shelby County.  These indictments are the result of the same investigation conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) as part of an ongoing effort to stop illegal voting activity in Shelby County.  The investigation was prompted by information provided by the Shelby County Election Commission, the cases were

The Grand Jury indicted Dale Brown, 50, and Kelvin Green, 41, each on one count of illegal registration or voting (class D felony).

According to the indictment against Brown, he voted in the state wide primary and county general election held on August 3, 2006 after having been convicted of aggravated assault in 1985.

The indictment against Green states that he voted in the same state wide and county general election held on August 3, 2006 after being convicted of driving while a habitual motor vehicle offender in 1997.

Brown and Green were arrested Thursday evening.  Brown is being held on a $1,000 bond.  Green was released on recognizance.  Arraignment dates have not yet been set.

District Attorney Gibbons stressed the indictments do not allege that any candidate or candidate’s campaign organization was in any way involved in voter fraud, directly or indirectly.

Gibbons noted that, based on information provided by the Election Commission and investigation by the TBI, indictments against additional individuals are possible.

The district attorney also wanted to remind the public that the Voter Trust Task Force that he and TBI Director Mark Gwyn created in 2006 has been on standby since the start of early voting for the county general election and state and federal primary elections.  The Voter Trust Task Force will also be available all day on August 5, the actual election day, to investigate any incidents during the voting process identified by the Election Commission ad potential criminal violations.

Voters in Shelby County who observe any potential problems at the polls during early voting or on August 5 should contact the Shelby County Election Commission at 901-545-4125.  Election Commission officials will contact the D.A.’s Office if it appears any criminal conduct has occurred.  If the situations warrants, the Task Force will investigate and notify the Commission of the results.