They insisted all of the signatures on the petition were accurate but a criminal investigation suggests otherwise.
Activists Ramiro Treviño, Gloria Martinez, Jorge Rodea, Yolanda Alvarado, Ruben Navarro and Elisa Sanchez were arraigned on tampering with government records charges.
San Juan police said the group has tried for years to recall all four of the sitting San Juan city commissioners.
However, investigators said this time around the group allegedly lied to numerous people about the what the petition was for to get the 1,400 signatures they needed for a recall.
"They were told they were getting signatures for more street light…getting a permit to open a restaurant...things that were false,” said San Juan Police Sgt. Rudy Luna.
Judge Ricardo Perez set additional restrictions on the group.
They have to stay away from any city employee, they can't associate with other criminal defendants and have to stay 500 feet away from elected officials.
Sgt. Rudy Luna told Action 4 News that the suspects knew this arrest was coming.
Under state law, tampering with a government record is a third-degree felony punishable up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 dollar fine.
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