Update: Former state representative candidate indicted for fraud; attorney for candidate responds

The following is a press release submitted to MyFOX23.com from the Mississippi Attorney General's office.

JACKSON—A Hattiesburg man who ran for an open state representative seat faces more than five years behind bars after being indicted on two counts of voter fraud, announced Attorney General Jim Hood. Cory Ferraez, 28, turned himself in on a capias Monday following an August indictment by a Lowndes County grand jury. On count one, Ferraez was charged with swearing to a false application for an absentee ballot, and count two charged him with voting outside of his legal district. He faces up to five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and a $5,000 fine for count one and up to six months in jail and a fine of $200 on count two. A charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Ferraez was booked into the Lowndes County jail. He pleaded not guilty to both charges, and his arraignment was waived. A trial date was set for February 26, 2018. This case was investigated by Roger Wade with the attorney general’s Public Integrity Division and will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Stan Alexander.

Later Wednesday, MyFOX23.com received this response from Jace Ferraez, an attorney representing Cory Ferraez.

Mr. Ferraez looks forward to vigorously defending himself from this alleged charge. The State Board of Elections Commission has already looked into this matter and cleared Mr. Ferraez at the time of the special election. Our goal is to anticipate a complete dismissal of the entire case.