Two Miami men are facing charges after police in Broward County say they were caught with stolen mail, including two mail in ballots, taken from a post office dropbox days before the 2020 election.
According to The South Florida Sun Sentinel, a Lighthouse Point police officer on duty late Tuesday noticed two men lingering around a mailbox. The officer reportedly saw a bag of mail wedged between the front seat and center console of their car, along with a device used to fish mail out of a drop box. Two mail in ballots were reportedly found set apart from the rest of the mail.
Records show that Junior, 28, and Vladimir, 20, were charged with stealing ballots, fraud and petty theft.
At the first court appearance, Broward Judge Corey Amanda Cawthon said she would not speculate about what the men intended, but noted that the timing, with a major election just a week away, was a concern.
Defense attorney Richard Cooper, who represents one of the men, pushed back in a statement to newspapers on Thursday. He said his client was charged incorrectly and accused law enforcement of building a politically convenient narrative so close to the general election.
Assistant state attorney Katherine David asked for a $10,000 bond on the ballot theft charge, noting neither man had prior convictions. The judge set bonds totaling $3,025 for each defendant.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is also involved in the investigation. Lighthouse Point police Cmdr. Jack Vaccaro said the department is making arrangements to return the two ballots to their owners so they can still be counted. The ballots will not be held as evidence.
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Both men are accused, not convicted, and the case remains under investigation.
