DOJ Charges 16 Across Seven States
DOJ Charges 16 Across Seven States
Anonymous
Key Points
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Eight of the 16 defendants were charged in Texas; the group reportedly included seven lawful permanent residents and one person alleged to be in the country illegally.
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The alleged conduct implicates federal statutes including 18 U.S.C. § 611, which bars noncitizens from voting in specified federal elections, and 18 U.S.C. § 1015, which criminalizes knowingly making false citizenship statements when registering or voting.
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The Texas cases included Helen Sayen Adams, a Nigerian national and lawful permanent resident since May 2024, who was charged with allegedly voting in a federal election and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register to vote.
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Another Texas defendant, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, 56, was arrested and charged with allegedly voting illegally in the 2022 elections and participating in the 2024 general election, according to the report on the Nigerian nationals named in the case.
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In Idaho, Avila Gomez was accused not only of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and voting in the May 2022 and November 2024 elections, but also of fraudulently obtaining Idaho identification cards; the latter allegation is tied to 18 U.S.C. § 1028, which addresses unlawful production or procurement of identification documents.
The Justice Department charged 16 people across seven states with election crimes, including noncitizens voting in federal elections and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register or cast ballots Daily Caller. The defendants include lawful permanent residents and people allegedly in the country illegally, with cases spanning elections from 2022 through 2024 Townhall.
Prosecutors also brought charges for naturalization fraud, wire fraud, passport fraud, and unlawful firearm purchases Townhall. The DOJ warned the public not to attempt illegal participation in U.S. elections as part of a broader crackdown on election misconduct Daily Caller.
Eight Defendants Charged in Texas Cases
Eight of the 16 defendants face charges in Texas Townhall. The group included seven lawful permanent residents and one person allegedly in the country illegally Townhall. Helen Sayen Adams, a Nigerian national and lawful permanent resident since May 2024, was charged with voting in a federal election and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register to vote Daily Caller.
Gladys Adaeze Okafor, 56, was arrested and charged with voting illegally in the 2022 elections and participating in the 2024 general election Townhall. Both defendants face federal charges tied to noncitizen voting statutes and false citizenship claims Daily Caller.
Idaho Case Includes Fraudulent ID Document Charges
In Idaho, Avila Gomez was accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and voting in both the May 2022 and November 2024 elections Townhall. Gomez also faces charges for fraudulently obtaining Idaho identification cards, adding identity fraud allegations to the election-related crimes Townhall.
The identification fraud charges fall under federal law addressing unlawful production or procurement of identification documents Townhall. This case demonstrates prosecutors are pursuing multiple related fraud statutes beyond voting charges alone Daily Caller.
Federal Statutes Target Noncitizen Voter Misconduct
The charges rely on federal law 18 U.S.C. § 611, which bars noncitizens from voting in specified federal elections Townhall. A second statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1015, criminalizes knowingly making false citizenship statements when registering or voting Townhall.
The DOJ said: 'Let this be a warning' to anyone considering illegal election participation Daily Caller. The charges represent part of a larger administration effort to crack down on election-related fraud across multiple states Canada Free Press.
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