Authorities in Florida have arrested one individual and put a warrant out for another over claims they organized a fake petition seeking to change the state's abortion law. 

In a press release this week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement revealed that suspicions were raised after pro-abortion submitted 133 invalid constitutional amendment petitions across various counties. 

The petitions were related to challenging Florida's pro-life legislation by forcing through an amendment stating that "no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”

George Edward Andrews III, 30, was apprehended and processed in the Hernando County Jail. He was consequently charged with 10 separate felonies for both criminal use of personal identification information and forgery of signatures on petitions.

An outstanding arrest warrant is in effect for Jamie L. Johnson, 47, who also faces allegations of petition fraud. Both of the accused hail from Dade City in the Tampa Bay Area. 

“In Florida, our elections will continue to be fair and honest," said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. "Our FDLE inspectors will investigate every allegation of voter fraud because our elections must remain free from those willing to commit fraud at the expense of all voters.” 

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd also weighed in: 

Florida’s Constitution is a sacred document and there is a lawful method by which voters can make amendments. However, when criminals seek to circumvent that process fraudulently, this is an affront to Floridians and the sanctity of our laws, and we will do everything within our power to ensure that Floridians and our Constitution are protected.

Caitlin Connors, the southern regional director of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, told The Daily Signal that it was merely another example of pro-abortion groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) “attempting to lie and cheat their way to the ballot."

She explained: 

[The ACLU is part of] a national effort to erase protections for babies and moms using the same playbook of deceit and dark money to hide their extreme policy of legalizing painful late-term abortions and attacking the rights of parents.

With more than 60% of voters supporting Florida’s law protecting babies with a heartbeat, it’s not surprising abortion advocates used deceptive language in the amendment and engaged in illegal activity. The abortion industry will not succeed in disregarding the laws and deceiving Floridians into supporting an amendment to enshrine second- and third-trimester abortions when babies can feel pain.

Florida's heartbeat bill, which bans abortion after six weeks, has faced fierce opposition from progressives since it was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April last year. 

“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said at the time. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”

"All of these measures combined show that Florida is truly committed to building a culture of life by adopting family first policies and protecting life at all stages."