Dear editor,
I must respond to last week’s front-page story in The Eatonton Messenger (“Voting fraud charge lands man in jail,” April 10). The article omitted key details, and I want to ensure that residents of Putnam County and beyond have the facts.
This is an unusual and troubling case, and, like many other Eatonton residents, I am concerned about how it is being handled.
Quirino “Rino” Boles is my friend, and he and his family live in my district.
It is true that on Oct. 22, 2024, having just been convicted of four felony counts of theft by receiving and released on probation, Rino went to vote in the general election. As a newly convicted felon, he was not eligible.
Rino maintains that he did not know he was ineligible, and there are two reasons why I believe him. The first is that Rino made what is known as an Alford Plea in the theft by receiving case; that is, he maintained his innocence but pled guilty in exchange for probation and an end to the two-year ordeal. The second, confirmed in testimony by court staff, is that ineligibility to vote is not covered in the post-sentencing briefing given to newly convicted felons.
A man — simply for voting, and despite the efforts of his attorney — has been condemned to 90 days in jail (for violating his probation) and — for two new felony charges of unqualified voting and false swearing — now faces between one and 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $100,000 — or both.
As Judge Trammel noted in court, voting is the duty of every citizen, and under normal circumstances, what Rino did would be applauded. If he had cast his ballot just an hour before his conviction, he would have had every right.
I know Rino to be a man of fine character, a loving husband and father, and a respected person in the community, admired for his hard work and generosity.
An unthinking and badly timed effort to do his civic duty has turned into a tragedy for him and his family. As Sheriff Sills remarked in last week’s article, there is no precedent for a “crime” like this. The penalties under Georgia law are disproportionate to the specifics of this case, and seeing my friend shuffle across the Putnam Superior Courtroom in shackles is heartbreaking.
I urge our sheriff, district attorney, and judiciary, whom I respect and commend, to exercise whatever discretion is within their power to bring this case to a speedy and compassionate conclusion.
This is a victimless crime, and I trust that the residents of our county would prefer that our limited law enforcement and judicial resources be devoted to threats to life and property.
No public good is served by keeping Rino Boles behind bars. Community service or an extension to his probation would be more appropriate and a better use of taxpayer dollars.
A group of concerned citizens is preparing a petition to the governor.
Richard Garrett, Putnam County Commissioner, District 2