Bahamian among 16 charged in U.S. voter fraud cases
Key Points(5)
- A Bahamian national is among 16 noncitizens charged by the U.S.
- Justice Department in connection with alleged illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration and other election-related offenses.
- Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, was charged in the Middle District of Florida with one count of voting by a noncitizen.
- According to an information filed in federal court, Evans voted in the 2024 U.S.
- general election despite allegedly knowing that he was not a U.S.
A Bahamian national is among 16 noncitizens charged by the U.S. Justice Department in connection with alleged illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration and other election-related offenses.
Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, was charged in the Middle District of Florida with one count of voting by a noncitizen.
According to an information filed in federal court, Evans voted in the 2024 U.S. general election despite allegedly knowing that he was not a U.S. citizen.
The Justice Department announced the charges Monday as part of a series of cases involving noncitizens accused of voting in federal elections, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register or vote, or making false statements about their citizenship during naturalization proceedings.
Evans is one of two noncitizens charged in Florida with illegally voting in a federal election. The other is Italian national Andrea Catanese, 60, a lawful permanent resident who is accused of voting in the 2024 general election and later falsely stating on an Application for Naturalization that he had never voted in a federal election.
The Justice Department said a total of 16 noncitizens were charged in cases filed across Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
In Louisiana, three lawful permanent residents — Cuban national Pedro Pablo Ruiz, 68; Mexican national Zianya Yllaly Zamorano, 34; and Nicaraguan national Dudley Francisco Zeledon, 56 — were charged with allegedly voting in federal elections. Prosecutors allege Zeledon voted in both the 2024 primary and general elections.
In Wisconsin, North Macedonian national Sara Luma, 30, is accused of registering to vote and casting a ballot in the 2024 general election after allegedly falsely certifying that she was a U.S. citizen on her voter registration application.
Ten additional noncitizens were charged in Minnesota in cases involving alleged illegal voting or false claims of U.S. citizenship.
The defendants are lawful permanent residents, meaning they are legally authorized to live in the United States but are not U.S. citizens and generally cannot vote in federal elections.
The Justice Department's announcement did not indicate that the cases were connected to one another.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
