The Justice Department said it has charged 16 lawful permanent residents in connection with alleged noncitizen voting, false voter registration, and related offenses, according to an announcement cited by Headline USA reporter Luis Cornelio. The cases span Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota and are tied to the 2022 Minnesota state general election, the 2024 primary and general elections, and the 2026 Minnesota state primary election, per the DOJ’s announcement as described by Headline USA.
Four states, multiple elections
The DOJ said the defendants are green-card holders, which makes them ineligible to vote in federal elections. The department added that federal law permits permanent residents to contribute to political campaigns but not to vote in federal contests.
Florida filings
In Florida, a grand jury indicted Andrea Catanese, a 60-year-old Italian national, on counts of voting by an alien, attempting to procure naturalization unlawfully, and making a false statement related to naturalization. Prosecutors alleged Catanese falsely stated on a citizenship application that he had never voted in a federal election, despite voting in the 2024 general election, and repeated that claim during an interview with an immigration officer, according to the DOJ summary.
Also in Florida, 37-year-old Terrance Patrick Evans was charged by information with one count of voting by an alien. The DOJ said Evans voted in the 2024 general election despite knowing he was not a U.S. citizen.
Louisiana and Wisconsin cases
Louisiana indictments include 68-year-old Cuban national Pedro Pablo Ruiz, alleged to have cast a ballot in the 2024 contest despite being a green-card holder; 34-year-old Mexican national Zianya Yllaly Zamorano, alleged to have cast a ballot in the 2024 general; and 56-year-old Nicaraguan national Dudley Francisco Zeledon, who faces two counts tied to alleged voting in the 2024 primary and general elections.
In Wisconsin, 30-year-old North Macedonian national Sara Luma was charged with similar offenses, per the DOJ announcement.
Minnesota list announced earlier
The DOJ previously announced charges last month against 10 Minnesota defendants: Bhator Konah Bryant (61, Liberian), Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds (59, Lithuanian), Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie (63, Ghanaian), Alan Barbu Kargbo (48, Liberian), Paul Kras (78, German), Fadil Rasim Ozegovic (58, Bosnian), Aparecido Donizetti Padovan (62, Brazilian), Chris Adam Pettiquoi (43, Liberian), Christian Liam Schenk (47, Canadian), and Hester Sophia Weihmann (69, South African), according to Headline USA’s summary of the DOJ action.
Presumption of innocence
The DOJ emphasized that indictments and charges “merely contain accusations” and that all defendants are “presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
Source: DOJ announcement as reported by Luis Cornelio, Headline USA.
