Police arrested a Virginia Democrat this week on felony charges of election and voter fraud.
Blacksburg Town Councilman Liam Watson, a 24-year-old Democrat operative, allegedly committed three counts of election fraud and one count of illegal voting in an election in August 2023, according to online court records. The Montgomery County grand jury “handed up” the charges on Tuesday, and Watson turned himself in to the Virginia State Police (VSP) on Wednesday, according to VSP Public Relations Director Corinne Geller.
“The United States Postal Inspection Service assisted the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation with this matter,” Geller said in an email. “The investigation remains ongoing.”
Watson allegedly “feloniously and intentionally” made false statements or entries last year on his Virginia voter registration application, on a statement of organization candidate committee, and on a declaration of candidacy form, according to indictments obtained by The Federalist. He also allegedly “feloniously and intentionally” voted in an election in which “he was not qualified to vote.”
All of the crimes were allegedly committed in Montgomery County, which contains the town of Blacksburg.
“Watson has served the citizens of Montgomery County in various roles for a number of years and was most recently elected in 2023 in a write in campaign by the citizens of Blacksburg for a seat on the Blacksburg Town Council,” his attorneys said in a statement to a local news outlet. “He is 24 years old, with a heart for public service, and has worked diligently for the citizens
