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PENSACOLA, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman has been charged with 72 counts of petition fraud and perjury following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
According to a release, FDLE began its investigation in January 2023 when agents received information from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections regarding what appeared to be numerous fraudulent petitions relating to the constitutional amendment on marijuana use.
FDLE said 38 fraudulent petitions were submitted by a paid petition gatherer for Smart and Safe Florida, identified as Sonia Humphreys, 24. Additionally, the 24-year-old was found to be a paid petition gatherer for several counties in North Florida.
During the investigation, FDLE agents also reached out to the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections inquiring about additional petitions Humphreys may have submitted.
The supervisor notified investigators about 34 additional petitions Humphreys had submitted using fictitious names.
On Jan. 29, 2024, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested Humphreys on charges of 38 counts of petition fraud and 38 counts of perjury.
She will also face charges for failing to appear at her Santa Rosa County court hearing.
