JACKSON – A Benton County jury has found a county supervisor guilty of committing voter fraud, Attorney General Jim Hood said. Tate King, a supervisor in Benton County, was found guilty of one count of voter fraud late yesterday, Sept. 23, before Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth.
King’s sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 8, and he faces five years behind bars or a fine up to $5,000.
Hood said King was indicted by a grand jury following an investigation by the Public Integrity division of his office.
The case was prosecuted in court by Assistant Attorney General Stan Alexander and Special Assistant Attorney General Brandon Ogburn.
Hood said the election in question was the Aug. 7, 2007 primary election and the Aug. 27, 2007 runoff elections in Benton County.
The investigation showed that King paid people to vote for him on those two separate occasions.
King will face another trial on Oct. 4, as set by Judge Howorth, after a jury was hung up 8 to 4 on another count against King.
Hood also said that so far, 11 people have either plead guilty or have been found guilty in this case, and five others are awaiting trial: Kenny Ray Bowen on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts of voter fraud, Billy Street on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and two counts of voter fraud, James Bullock on five counts of voter fraud, Ronnie Wilkerson on one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud and Jasper Buggs, Sr., one three counts of voter fraud.
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