ROMA, Texas – A Roma woman has been arrested in connection with a mail-in ballot fraud case stemming from the November 2022 general election, according to an indictment obtained by Channel 5 News.
Modesta Vela was arrested on September 4, 2025, and charged with election fraud, per a booking report from the Starr County Jail.
The indictment alleges that on October 15, 2022, Vela personally completed and mailed a ballot that was issued to a woman over the age of 65. The document further claims that Vela knowingly submitted the ballot despite it not reflecting the true intent of the voter.
Details regarding whom the ballot was cast for were not disclosed in the indictment.
A recent search of Starr County jail records indicates that Vela is no longer in custody.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about election security and mail-in voting integrity, especially in closely watched jurisdictions.
