Federal agents arrested ten foreign nationals in North Carolina on October 14 and 15, accusing them of illegally voting in U.S. elections over periods spanning from a single ballot to nearly two decades of repeated voting, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Nine of those arrested hold green cards; one is an illegal alien. All face charges of false claim to citizenship for registering to vote and voting by an alien, under federal election law that bars noncitizens from casting ballots in federal races.
“These aliens have been arrested and charged with illegally voting in multiple elections,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “They knowingly violated our laws. Now, thanks to the devoted patriots of HSI and our partners at the Department of Justice, these aliens will have to answer for violating the sacred right of Americans to elect their own leadership.”
Who Was Arrested
Edduard Omar Majano-Sosa, an illegal alien from El Salvador who entered the U.S. near El Paso, Texas in July 2022 and was released into the country under the Biden administration, is charged with illegally registering and voting in the 2024 general election. He was arrested October 15 and faces an additional firearm charge after a pistol was found in his vehicle.
Karl Paul Fout, a German national lawfully admitted in February 1960, is accused of voting in seven general elections between 2008 and 2024. He has prior convictions for possession of marijuana and cocaine with intent to sell and deliver, and for possession of cocaine. He was arrested by HSI in Cary on October 15.
Lawton Caswell Broomfield E McKenzie, from Jamaica and lawfully admitted in November 1986, is charged with voting in three general elections between 2012 and 2024. His record includes convictions for manufacturing, possessing, or distributing controlled substances, along with arrests for disorderly conduct, battery, trespassing and assault. He was arrested by ICE on October 15.
Lionel Paul, from Haiti and an LPR since October 2018, is accused of illegally voting in the 2024 general election. His record includes arrests for fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle and assault. He was arrested by HSI in Cary on October 15.
James Edward Herrmann, from Germany and lawfully admitted in December 1983, is charged with voting in two general elections between 2018 and 2024. He has a prior larceny conviction and was arrested by the FBI on October 14.
Ramona Abreu-Exia, from Germany and lawfully admitted in October 1977, is accused of voting in eight general elections from 2004 to 2024, plus the 2008 primary. She was arrested by the FBI on October 14.
Mervin Sylvester Bogle, from Jamaica and lawfully admitted in February 1981, is charged with registering to vote in 2024 and illegally voting in three general elections between 2008 and 2024. He was arrested by the FBI on October 15.
Robert Harold Corbett, from Canada and lawfully admitted in December 1963, is accused of voting in six general elections between 1998 and 2024. He was arrested by the FBI on October 14.
Ludgardys Olena Matthews, from Panama, was lawfully admitted in October 1986 and granted LPR status in September 2015 under the Obama administration. She is charged with voting in three general elections between 2018 and 2024, plus the 2020 primary. She was arrested by HSI in Cary on October 15.
Gjina Gojcaj McDonald, from Montenegro and lawfully admitted in February 1969, is accused of voting in seven general elections from 2008 to 2024, plus a 2012 primary and a 2019 special election. She was arrested by the FBI on October 14.
Acting ICE Director David Venturella said the arrests send a message that “election laws are not optional, and those who violate them will be held accountable.”
Part of a Broader Push
The North Carolina arrests are part of a wider Trump administration effort to identify and prosecute noncitizen voting across the country. Last week, ICE agents arrested Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, a foreign national in Minnesota, on charges of knowingly making a false claim of American citizenship to vote in the 2024 election.
“Let this be a message to any non-citizens out there who are thinking about voting in our elections: If you illegally vote, we will arrest you, and you will be charged,” Mullin said. “Only American citizens should be electing American leaders.”
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