Jury returns guilty verdict

ASHLAND — A seven-day jury trial has ended with a guilty verdict in two Benton County voter fraud cases, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.

The decision came June 29 against Clinton Moffitt, 30, of Hickory Flat and Ada Moore Tucker, 50, of Ashland before Judge Andrew K. Howorth in Benton County Circuit Court. The jury found both defendants guilty of one count conspiracy to commit voter fraud and not guilty of one count each of voter fraud.

Judge Howorth delayed sentencing after a request for a pre-sentencing investigation by the defense. Moffitt and Tucker both face a maximum sentence of five years behind bars.

“I was proud of the Benton County Jury for standing up against vote buying,” said Hood. “I’m just sorry the defendants put the members of the jury in that position. Hopefully, these convictions will send the message that Benton Countians will not tolerate vote buying.”

Judge Howorth will sentence Moffitt and Tucker July 14 in Ashland.

These cases are the first two of 16 indictments to be heard in Benton County concerning voter fraud issues.