Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrest of Smart & Safe Florida Petitioner for Voter Fraud, Identity Theft

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Teagen Marie Targhuhanuchi, 41, of Titusville, was arrested on charges relating to filling out and submitting fraudulent voter registrations after obtaining victims’ personal information by having them sign petitions on behalf of Smart & Safe Florida.

“There is no excuse for a mega marijuana corporation and its affiliates to fraudulently hijack Florida’s Constitution," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This behavior is a direct attack on election integrity, and we will hold anyone who commits or participates in these crimes fully accountable.”

Investigators found that Targhuhanuchi, a paid petition circulator on behalf of Smart & Safe Florida, attended multiple events where she collected signatures for ballot initiative 25-01, the amendment seeking to legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. After collecting signatures, the defendant stole signees’ personal information and utilized it to fraudulently fill out and submit voter registration applications without their permission.

The defendant is charged with 12 counts of Identity Theft, 12 counts of Submission of Fraudulent Voter Information, and 1 count of Identity Theft (More Than 10 Individuals).

This case was investigated by the Office of Election Crimes & Security and Florida Department of Law Enforcement following a report by the Charlotte County Supervisor of Elections.

This case will be handled by the Office of Statewide Prosecution in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida.

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