Pahrump woman charged in Nye voting case sentenced to prison

A woman arrested last July for committing illegal acts pertaining to voter registration in Nye County, was sentenced to serve 19-to-48 months in prison, with 24 days credit for time served.

Pahrump resident Tina Marie Parks, 46, was sentenced on May 19, by Judge Kimberly Wanker of Nye County’s Fifth District Court.

Parks was charged with numerous felony charges, including two counts of attempted intimidation of voters, one count of intimidation of voters, three counts of acts concerning registration of voters, one count of prohibited acts of employees of voter registration agencies or persons assisting voters and four counts of perjury.

Nevada Secretary of State reacts

At the time, Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske said that members of the Election Integrity Task Force arrested Parks in accordance with an arrest warrant issued by Pahrump Justice of the Peace Kent Jasperson.

“Protecting an elector’s right to vote and enforcing state election laws are some of the most important duties of the Secretary of State, said Secretary Cegavske. “Any person in Pahrump who has recently registered is encouraged to check and confirm that their voter registration is accurate.”

Supporting the Republican Party

According to the original criminal complaint, Parks, while working with “Engage Nevada,” was marking “Republican” or “nonpartisan party affiliation” on three registration forms of electors.

In turn, at least one person was unable to vote in the June 14, 2016 Democratic primary election, according to the charges.

Engage Nevada is a conservative advocacy organization focused on registering voters in Nevada.

Additionally, the complaint also stated that Parks, who has prior felony convictions, signed four registration forms for herself, which included the statement that she was not laboring under any felony conviction or other loss of civil rights that would make it unlawful for her to vote.

The complaint also stated that Parks had not had her right to vote restored.

Nye County official comments

This case was investigated by the Nevada Secretary of State’s criminal investigators with the assistance of the FBI.

Both agencies are members of the Election Integrity Task Force.

Last year, Cegavske convened the Nevada Election Integrity Task Force to address any complaints of election fraud, voter intimidation and irregularities at the polls during the election.

Regarding Parks’ sentencing hearing, Nye County Clerk Sandra “Sam” Merlino said she’s happy the matter is closed and Parks was convicted of the crime.

“One of the most basic rights we have is our right to vote and this activity adversely affected some of Nye County’s voters,” she said. “Hopefully this conviction will send a message.”

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes