POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County non-violent felon is in handcuffs again after filing to run for the board of county commissioners in June.
According to the sheriff's office, 56-year-old Martin William Grenfell, a candidate for the office of Polk County Commissioner District 1, was convicted in federal court of a felony in 2013 after entering into a plea deal.
His alleged crime? Trafficking in counterfeit labels, landing him three years’ probation.
According to an affidavit, deputies say Grenfell signed at the time, he alerted to knowing he "may thereby be deprived of certain rights, such as the right to vote, to hold public office, to serve on a jury, or to have possession of firearms."
It further went on to say, Grenfell received a Sentencing Memorandum in Support of a Reasonable Probationary Sentence that re-enforced his inability to vote, run for office, possess a firearm, and volunteer in his children's school and after school activities.
But, deputies say on June 12, Grenfell completed the "Candidate Oath form" in its entirety designating he was a candidate before having it notarized.
"By signing the Oath, Grenfell attested that he is qualified to hold office under the Constitution and the Laws of Florida which includes the prohibition against holding an elected office by a convicted felon," the sheriff's office wrote.
Sheriff Grady Judd, who learned about Grenfell's candidacy in the paper, had a few words for his actions.
“During the election process, it is fundamental that individuals comply with the rules and laws that are in place to ensure a fair and honest election."
Judd said under Grenfell's conviction he would have to wait until 2021 to apply for clemency and wait for it to be granted or denied before proceeding.
Grenfell was arrested and charged with false swearing with regard to voting.
- Florida to close state-run COVID-19 testing sites due to tropical weather
- Miami-Dade County superintendent announces online start to the fall school year
- Confirmed deaths from the coronavirus in the US hit 150,000
- NASA, SpaceX keeping close eye on storm ahead of bringing astronauts back to Earth
- Police: Missing mother and daughter found in Nebraska, daughter says mom died after medical episode
- Florida is in the cone of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine
FREE 10 TAMPA BAY APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter
