US charges 48 non-citizens over election-related crimes in Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York and Nevada; two Indians among those accused of illegal voting and false citizenship claims

US Justice Department announces charges against 48 non-citizens in election-related cases across five states. (Photo: Office of Public Affairs)

The US Department of Justice has announced charges against 48 non-US citizens in connection with alleged election-related offences across several states, including Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York and Nevada. The cases involve allegations of illegal voting in federal elections, fraudulent voter registration and falsely claiming US citizenship to register or cast ballots.In a press release issued on October 26, 2026, the department detailed cases filed across multiple federal judicial districts. Several defendants are also accused of making false statements during naturalisation proceedings, including allegedly concealing previous voter registration or voting activity.The department said the cases involve both misdemeanour and felony charges, depending on the alleged offences.

Two Indian nationals among those charged

Two Indian nationals have been named in the announcement. Amandeep Kaur, 30, a lawful permanent resident who is seeking US citizenship, has been accused of registering to vote in December 2022 and voting in the November 2024 US election. The case has been filed in the Central District of California.Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged in the Eastern District of California with voting by a non-citizen. According to the Justice Department, Shah allegedly registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 general election and cast a ballot that day. He has been charged by information.Both individuals face allegations that have yet to be proven in court.

Pennsylvania cases involve nine defendants

In Pennsylvania, nine non-citizens have been charged across two federal judicial districts with allegedly voting in elections involving federal offices.In the Eastern District, the defendants include Alfredo Santiesteban, 73, a Cuban national described as an illegal alien; Artur Kopacz, 50, a Polish national; Osmal Loy, 70, a Cuban national; and Yehuda Peer, 30, an Israeli national. The latter three are identified as lawful permanent residents. Prosecutors allege that the four voted in the 2022 or 2024 general elections.In the Middle District, the defendants include Kenyan nationals Nina Nyawara, 21, and Joyce Donovan, 38; Russian national Inna Henry, 52; Dutch national Joyce Pitts, 80; and Greek national Nourten Kuruju, 64. All are described as lawful permanent residents. The allegations concern voting in federal elections held in 2022 or 2024.

California cases include allegations of voter fraud and naturalisation fraud

The cases involve alleged voter registration fraud and false claims of US citizenship. (Photo: Office of Public Affairs)

California accounts for several of the cases detailed by the department, with allegations ranging from illegal voting to false statements in citizenship applications.In the Central District of California, 13 defendants face felony charges, including allegations involving naturalisation applications. They include Belizean national Omar Alexander Munoz, 72, who allegedly registered to vote in 2019 while claiming to be a US citizen and voted in elections in 2020, twice in 2022 and in 2024. He is also accused of making a false statement in his naturalisation application.Other defendants in the district include Salvadoran national Ana Dominguez, 60; Guatemalan national 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 national Butleng Taing, 43; Honduran national Carlos Antonio Galeas, 54; Pakistani national Muhammad Khan, 50; and Canadian national Rouzbeh Seyamaknejad, 63. The allegations vary and include fraudulent registration, illegal voting and false statements in naturalisation paperwork.In the Eastern District of California, six defendants have been charged with voting by a non-citizen in a federal election. They include Mexican nationals Maricela Nazarin Gonzalez, 43, Camino Giles Jimenez, 51, and Juan Antonio Rivas Garcia, 46; Guatemalan national Rony de Jesus Sicaja, 38; Filipino national Giezell Viduya Adawag, 41; and Indian national Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67.The Justice Department said the offence of voting by a non-citizen in a federal election carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison.In the Northern District of California, five defendants face allegations involving illegal voting and false statements during naturalisation proceedings. They are Mexican national Veronica Bullene, 43; Georgian national David Shapiro, 41; Myanmar national Moe Thida Lwin, 57; Tongan national Manakotau Mataele Finau, 61; and Ecuadoran national Maribel del Carmen Garces Barriga, 62.The Southern District of California has four defendants facing allegations of falsely claiming US citizenship to vote, unlawful attempts to obtain naturalisation and false statements under oath. They include Filipino nationals Jose Probitsado Amaro, 51, and Pamele Arbues Line, 56; Canadian national Jennifer Jung, 31; and Guatemalan national Erick Ronaldo Soto Mendizabal, 64.

Six defendants charged in Florida

In the Middle District of Florida, six defendants have been charged with election-related offences. They include Cuban nationals Jamie Orlando Sosa Sardina, 60, and Luis Manuel Perez, 72; Ecuadorian national Martha Haydee Desantis, 81; Canadian nationals Lise Marie Johnson, 69, and Diane Wendy Curley, 55; and Brazilian national Pedro Igor A. Franco, 37.According to the department, 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 includes voting in the 2022 and 2024 federal general elections.

New York and Nevada cases

In New York, German national Marva Cook, 66, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged in the Northern District with voting by a non-citizen.In the Eastern District of New York, three lawful permanent residents – Irish national Eoin Cranney, 35; Guyanese national Ronald Sheldon Baird, 47; and Jamaican national Karlene Daniels Samuels, 55 – have been charged with voting by non-citizens in federal elections. Prosecutors allege that all three submitted fraudulent voter registration applications and voted in the 2024 general election. The department also said the defendants made admissions about their non-citizen status and voting activity during voluntary interviews with federal agents.In Nevada, Filipino national Jullie Ann Sumalinog Moore, 44, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by a non-citizen in an election involving federal offices, including the presidency and seats in Congress.

Charges do not establish guilt

The cases involve allegations of illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, false claims of US citizenship and misrepresentations in naturalisation proceedings. The charges differ according to the conduct prosecutors allege in each case.The Justice Department clarified that complaints, indictments and information contain allegations rather than findings of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.