Justice Department Cracks Down on Election Fraud: 12 Individuals Face Charges for Illegal Voting and Registration Schemes

In a sweeping enforcement action that underscores the federal government’s commitment to election integrity, the Justice Department has announced charges and guilty pleas against twelve individuals across the United States, including three undocumented immigrants who allegedly participated in federal elections without legal authorization. The cases, which span multiple jurisdictions from Florida to Hawaii, involve a disturbing pattern of election-related misconduct including illegal voting by non-citizens, fraudulent voter registration, false citizenship claims, and even the destruction of hundreds of mail-in ballots by a postal worker. These prosecutions represent a coordinated effort by federal authorities to protect the sanctity of the American electoral process and ensure that only eligible citizens participate in choosing the nation’s leaders. The charges range from misdemeanor offenses to more serious felonies, with penalties including potential imprisonment, fines, and deportation for those found guilty of undermining the electoral system.

The first case involves Christiane Vinette Young, a 75-year-old Canadian citizen residing illegally in the United States, who now faces three counts of voting as an alien in federal elections. According to court documents, Young knowingly participated in multiple elections despite being fully aware that she was not an American citizen. Her alleged voting history spans three separate federal elections, including the 2024 general election, the 2022 general election, and the 2022 primary election. This case highlights the persistence of some individuals in attempting to influence American democracy despite lacking the fundamental qualification of citizenship. The charges against Young were brought by information, indicating that federal prosecutors have gathered sufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges without a grand jury indictment. The case was filed in the Middle District of Florida, where Young had been residing and allegedly casting ballots in federal contests.

In a separate case from the Southern District of Florida, Valery Zidor, a Haitian national who was in the United States under Temporary Protected Status, has already pleaded guilty to serious election-related charges. Zidor’s case is particularly notable because she allegedly went beyond merely voting illegally; she also falsely claimed to be a United States citizen when registering to vote. This dual offense of both false citizenship claims and illegal voting demonstrates a calculated effort to circumvent election laws. Zidor pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of making false claims of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting as an alien. Her participation in the 2024 General Election has now resulted in criminal convictions that could carry significant consequences, including potential deportation proceedings following any criminal sentence. The case serves as a warning that immigration status does not confer voting rights and that attempting to vote without citizenship carries serious legal ramifications.

The District of Kansas has brought charges against George Olawunmi Johnson, a Nigerian national who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Johnson faces an array of charges including false claims to United States citizenship, false claims to citizenship specifically for voting purposes, fraudulent election conduct, and voting as an alien in a federal election. The allegations against Johnson are particularly troubling because they suggest a long-term pattern of deception. Court documents indicate that Johnson allegedly falsely indicated he was a U.S. citizen when registering to vote in February 2010, and then allegedly cast a ballot in the November 2024 election. This fifteen-year gap between the alleged fraudulent registration and the actual illegal vote demonstrates how some individuals may maintain their illegal voter status over extended periods, potentially participating in numerous elections without detection. The case highlights the importance of robust voter roll maintenance and verification systems to identify and remove ineligible voters from registration lists.

Moving to the District of New Jersey, federal prosecutors have charged two lawful permanent residents with illegally voting in federal elections and making false statements during their citizenship applications. Patrick Terrance Reid, a 61-year-old Jamaican national, faces serious charges for allegedly voting in multiple presidential elections over a twelve-year period. According to the charges, Reid voted in person in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections, then switched to mail-in ballots for the 2020 and 2024 presidential contests. This pattern suggests that Reid may have been voting illegally for over a decade, potentially influencing multiple presidential elections. Additionally, Reid was charged with making false statements while applying for U.S. citizenship, indicating that he may have attempted to regularize his status while concealing his prior illegal voting activities. Similarly, Danubis Bernat, a 49-year-old Venezuelan national who is also a lawful permanent resident, was charged with voting in person in the 2024 general election and making false statements during his citizenship application. Both cases demonstrate the intersection between immigration proceedings and election crimes, as individuals who have illegally voted may attempt to hide their misconduct when seeking to become naturalized citizens.

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania has yielded the largest number of cases in this enforcement action, with four aliens facing charges for various election-related crimes. Cliff Sanon, a 39-year-old illegal alien from Haiti residing in Philadelphia, was charged by criminal complaint with submitting a fraudulent voter registration application. The allegations against Sanon are particularly concerning because they suggest he may have been involved in a broader scheme of voter registration fraud. Court documents allege that Sanon submitted a voter registration application in February 2026, prior to the May 2026 primary election, despite being a citizen of Haiti and not an American citizen. More troubling, the complaint further alleges that this was just one of eight fraudulent voter registration applications submitted by Sanon, and that he also voted in the November 2022 election. This pattern of multiple fraudulent registrations suggests potential organized efforts to manipulate voter rolls, which could undermine confidence in the electoral system if not detected and prosecuted.

The Pennsylvania cases also include Dilea Ochoa-Perez, a 43-year-old illegal alien from Mexico who was charged with two counts of voting as an alien. According to the information filed against her, Ochoa-Perez allegedly voted illegally in Chester County during both the November 2022 and November 2024 general elections. Her case demonstrates that some illegal aliens may vote repeatedly over multiple election cycles, potentially affecting both federal and local races. The charges against her were brought by information, indicating that federal prosecutors have sufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges. Additionally, Sade Guppy, a 37-year-old lawful permanent resident from Trinidad and Tobago, was charged with voting as an alien in the November 2022 general election in Philadelphia County. Eduardo Gallardo Maldonado, a 66-year-old Mexican national with lawful permanent resident status, faces similar charges for allegedly voting in the November 2024 general election in Philadelphia County. These cases illustrate the diverse backgrounds and circumstances of individuals who illegally participate in American elections, ranging from recent immigrants to long-term residents who should have known better than to vote without citizenship.

The Western District of Texas has charged Imelda Magallanes, a 51-year-old Mexican national who is a lawful permanent resident, with voting as an alien in a federal election. Voting records from the Midland County Elections Office indicate that Magallanes first registered to vote in October 2020 using her Texas driver’s license as identification. This detail is significant because it demonstrates how some individuals may use state identification documents to register to vote, potentially bypassing citizenship verification requirements. The records also reveal that Magallanes voted in the November 2024 general election, meaning she may have been registered to vote for four years before her illegal voting was detected. This case highlights the importance of verifying citizenship status when individuals register to vote and the need for ongoing monitoring of voter rolls to identify and remove ineligible voters.

In the District of Hawaii, Bernadette Acaso, a 20-year-old Filipino national who is a lawful permanent resident, has already pleaded guilty to unlawfully voting as an alien. Acaso’s case is notable because of her youth and the fact that she voted by mail-in ballot in the 2024 election. Her guilty plea demonstrates that federal prosecutors are pursuing these cases aggressively, even when the illegal voting may have been the result of confusion or misunderstanding about voting eligibility. The case also highlights the importance of voter education, particularly for younger individuals and recent immigrants who may not fully understand the requirements for voting in federal elections. The fact that Acaso voted by mail-in ballot also raises questions about the effectiveness of mail-in ballot verification processes in confirming voter eligibility.

Finally, in the District of Utah, Damon Matai Seei, a 34-year-old postal worker from Payson, Utah, was charged with unlawful secretion, destruction, and delay of mail. The charges against Seei are particularly disturbing because they involve the alleged disposal of approximately 300 mail-in ballots that he was entrusted to deliver to registered voters. According to the charges, Seei allegedly threw away mail that he was responsible for delivering, including these hundreds of mail-in ballots. This alleged conduct represents a direct attack on the democratic process, as it potentially disenfranchised hundreds of voters who trusted the postal system to deliver their ballots. The ballots were reportedly discovered in a dumpster in a church parking lot, suggesting that Seei may have been disposing of them in a calculated manner. This case underscores the importance of safeguarding the mail-in voting process and ensuring that postal workers who handle ballots are trustworthy and accountable for their actions.

It is important to note that all defendants in these cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charges brought by the Justice Department represent allegations that must be proven through the legal process. However, the sheer number and variety of cases announced in this single enforcement action demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting election-related crimes. These cases also serve as a reminder that election integrity is a fundamental pillar of American democracy, and that those who seek to undermine it through illegal voting, voter registration fraud, or ballot tampering will face serious consequences. The Justice Department’s coordinated effort across multiple districts shows that election fraud is not a partisan issue but rather a threat to the basic functioning of democratic governance that requires vigorous enforcement at all levels. As these cases proceed through the courts, they will likely provide important guidance on the interpretation and application of federal election laws, and may lead to enhanced enforcement mechanisms to prevent similar violations in future elections.