Two men sentenced for illegally voting in Cottage Grove

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Two men were convicted of felony election crimes after they illegally registered to vote in Cottage Grove.

James N. Weakley, 38, of Cottage Grove, was sentenced last month after pleading guilty to registering to vote while ineligible.

According to court records, Weakley voted in a Cottage Grove’s 3rd Precinct in the 2008 general election but he was a convicted felon on felony probation, making him ineligible. He also registered to vote at the precinct in that election, another illegal act given his felony status, the criminal complaint says.

In an interview with police last year, Weakley admitted to voting in 2008. He was sentenced March 15 in Washington County District Court. The prison sentence was stayed, but he was placed on three years’ probation, ordered to complete 60 hours of community service and fined $50.

St. Paul resident Lor Her, 24, was sentenced March 19 after pleading guilty to registering to vote while ineligible.

According to the criminal complaint, Her registered to vote in Cottage Grove Precinct 4 in the November 2008 general election. Her told a Cottage Grove investigator he was not allowed to cast a ballot, but admitted that he had intended to vote. Her was on probation for a felony vehicle theft conviction. Washington County election records showed that he voted in the election, contrary to what he told police.

Her’s sentence was stayed. He was placed on probation for three years. He was fined $50 and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service. He was credited with four days of jail time, so had to complete eight community service hours.

Both cases were referred to authorities by the Washington County Elections Division.

-Scott Wente

Tags: crime and courts, updates, crime