US prices 48 non-citizens over election-related crimes in Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York and Nevada; two Indians amongst these accused of unlawful voting and false citizenship claims
The US Division of Justice has introduced prices towards 48 non-US residents in reference to alleged election-related offences throughout a number of states, together with Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York and Nevada. The instances contain allegations of unlawful voting in federal elections, fraudulent voter registration and falsely claiming US citizenship to register or forged ballots.In a press launch issued on October 26, 2026, the division detailed instances filed throughout a number of federal judicial districts. A number of defendants are additionally accused of creating false statements throughout naturalisation proceedings, together with allegedly concealing earlier voter registration or voting exercise.The division stated the instances contain each misdemeanour and felony prices, relying on the alleged offences.
Two Indian nationals amongst these charged
Two Indian nationals have been named within the announcement. Amandeep Kaur, 30, a lawful everlasting resident who’s searching for US citizenship, has been accused of registering to vote in December 2022 and voting within the November 2024 US election. The case has been filed within the Central District of California.Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, a lawful everlasting resident, has been charged within the Japanese District of California with voting by a non-citizen. In line with the Justice Division, Shah allegedly registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 basic election and forged a poll that day. He has been charged by info.Each people face allegations which have but to be confirmed in courtroom.
Pennsylvania instances contain 9 defendants
In Pennsylvania, 9 non-citizens have been charged throughout two federal judicial districts with allegedly voting in elections involving federal places of work.Within the Japanese District, the defendants embody Alfredo Santiesteban, 73, a Cuban nationwide described as an unlawful alien; Artur Kopacz, 50, a Polish nationwide; Osmal Loy, 70, a Cuban nationwide; and Yehuda Peer, 30, an Israeli nationwide. The latter three are recognized as lawful everlasting residents. Prosecutors allege that the 4 voted within the 2022 or 2024 basic elections.Within the Center District, the defendants embody Kenyan nationals Nina Nyawara, 21, and Joyce Donovan, 38; Russian nationwide Inna Henry, 52; Dutch nationwide Joyce Pitts, 80; and Greek nationwide Nourten Kuruju, 64. All are described as lawful everlasting residents. The allegations concern voting in federal elections held in 2022 or 2024.
California instances embody allegations of voter fraud and naturalisation fraud
The instances contain alleged voter registration fraud and false claims of US citizenship. (Photograph: Workplace of Public Affairs)
California accounts for a number of of the instances detailed by the division, with allegations starting from unlawful voting to false statements in citizenship functions.Within the Central District of California, 13 defendants face felony prices, together with allegations involving naturalisation functions. They embody Belizean nationwide Omar Alexander Munoz, 72, who allegedly registered to vote in 2019 whereas claiming to be a US citizen and voted in elections in 2020, twice in 2022 and in 2024. He’s additionally accused of creating a false assertion in his naturalisation utility.Different defendants within the district embody Salvadoran nationwide Ana Dominguez, 60; Guatemalan nationwide Axel Giovani Prera Garcia, 46; Mexican nationals Flavio Alejandro Zuniga, 43, Ernest Gutierrez Ruvalcaba, 57, Jesus Narez-Madrigal, 52, Jose Antonio Banuelos-Diaz, 42, and Sulema de Leon, 35; Cambodian nationwide Butleng Taing, 43; Honduran nationwide Carlos Antonio Galeas, 54; Pakistani nationwide Muhammad Khan, 50; and Canadian nationwide Rouzbeh Seyamaknejad, 63. The allegations fluctuate and embody fraudulent registration, unlawful voting and false statements in naturalisation paperwork.Within the Japanese District of California, six defendants have been charged with voting by a non-citizen in a federal election. They embody Mexican nationals Maricela Nazarin Gonzalez, 43, Camino Giles Jimenez, 51, and Juan Antonio Rivas Garcia, 46; Guatemalan nationwide Rony de Jesus Sicaja, 38; Filipino nationwide Giezell Viduya Adawag, 41; and Indian nationwide Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67.The Justice Division stated the offence of voting by a non-citizen in a federal election carries a statutory most sentence of 1 12 months in federal jail.Within the Northern District of California, 5 defendants face allegations involving unlawful voting and false statements throughout naturalisation proceedings. They’re Mexican nationwide Veronica Bullene, 43; Georgian nationwide David Shapiro, 41; Myanmar nationwide Moe Thida Lwin, 57; Tongan nationwide Manakotau Mataele Finau, 61; and Ecuadoran nationwide Maribel del Carmen Garces Barriga, 62.The Southern District of California has 4 defendants dealing with allegations of falsely claiming US citizenship to vote, illegal makes an attempt to acquire naturalisation and false statements beneath oath. They embody Filipino nationals Jose Probitsado Amaro, 51, and Pamele Arbues Line, 56; Canadian nationwide Jennifer Jung, 31; and Guatemalan nationwide Erick Ronaldo Soto Mendizabal, 64.
Six defendants charged in Florida
Within the Center District of Florida, six defendants have been charged with election-related offences. They embody Cuban nationals Jamie Orlando Sosa Sardina, 60, and Luis Manuel Perez, 72; Ecuadorian nationwide Martha Haydee Desantis, 81; Canadian nationals Lise Marie Johnson, 69, and Diane Wendy Curley, 55; and Brazilian nationwide Pedro Igor A. Franco, 37.In line with the division, Sardina, Desantis and Johnson face allegations of falsely claiming US citizenship to vote and voting illegally. The remaining defendants have been accused of voting by non-citizens. The alleged conduct contains voting within the 2022 and 2024 federal basic elections.
New York and Nevada instances
In New York, German nationwide Marva Cook dinner, 66, a lawful everlasting resident, has been charged within the Northern District with voting by a non-citizen.Within the Japanese District of New York, three lawful everlasting residents – Irish nationwide Eoin Cranney, 35; Guyanese nationwide Ronald Sheldon Baird, 47; and Jamaican nationwide Karlene Daniels Samuels, 55 – have been charged with voting by non-citizens in federal elections. Prosecutors allege that each one three submitted fraudulent voter registration functions and voted within the 2024 basic election. The division additionally stated the defendants made admissions about their non-citizen standing and voting exercise throughout voluntary interviews with federal brokers.In Nevada, Filipino nationwide Jullie Ann Sumalinog Moore, 44, a lawful everlasting resident, has been charged with voting by a non-citizen in an election involving federal places of work, together with the presidency and seats in Congress.
Fees don’t set up guilt
The instances contain allegations of unlawful voting, fraudulent voter registration, false claims of US citizenship and misrepresentations in naturalisation proceedings. The fees differ in response to the conduct prosecutors allege in every case.The Justice Division clarified that complaints, indictments and knowledge include allegations somewhat than findings of guilt. All defendants are presumed harmless until and till they’re confirmed responsible past an inexpensive doubt in courtroom.
