Overview
- Prosecutors filed charges Monday accusing five people, including St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst and St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Dylan Rumrell, of producing and distributing counterfeit Republican voter guides before the 2024 primary.
- All five face misdemeanor counts for conspiracy and creating an unauthorized voter guide while consultant Brianna/Briana Jordan also faces a third-degree felony count for allegedly tampering with physical evidence.
- Charging documents and an FDLE sworn affidavit describe a coordinated 'secret envelope stuffing' operation at a rented campaign house, mailings posted from Jacksonville and Orlando, and alleged attempts to burn or destroy remaining guides.
- The case was transferred for prosecution after recusals by local circuits and a confidential executive order directed the matter to the 8th Judicial Circuit, where arraignments are set for Aug. 3, 2026.
- Local Republican leaders and affected candidates say the fake guides used party logos and lacked required disclosures, they allege the mailers confused voters in tight races, and attorneys for the accused deny wrongdoing while public calls for resignations have followed the filings.