Full Breakdown
DOJ Charges 16 Non-Citizens in Multi-State Election-Fraud Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Federal Indictments for Illegal Voting and Related Offenses
The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that 16 individuals have been charged with illegal voting, false statements of citizenship, and related crimes—including wire fraud, passport fraud, and unlawful firearm possession. The defendants span eight states: Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Michigan, and the District of Columbia. Charges allege that non-citizens voted in federal elections in 2022 and 2024, registered by falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, and in several cases obtained identification documents and firearms. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Background & Context: Enforcement Focus on Non-Citizen Voting
The indictments are part of an enforcement effort launched during the Trump administration to target alleged illegal voting by non-citizens. The Justice Department has warned that non-citizen participation “undermines” election integrity and has used social-media messaging to deter similar conduct.
Data & Statistics: Charges, Geographic Distribution, and Ancillary Fraud Allegations
- Total defendants: 16
- Texas: 8 alleged illegal voters, including Moises Anwar Arellano-Alba (Mexico) and several lawful permanent residents from Nigeria, Mexico, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other nations.
- Idaho: Avila Gomez (Mexico) faces a multi-count indictment that includes wire fraud, theft of government funds, and illegal firearm possession.
- Georgia: Pauline Lewis (Antigua and Barbuda), Gabriel Covarrubias (Mexico), and Analiea Milliscent Eccles (Venezuela, DACA recipient) are charged with non-citizen voting; Eccles is alleged to have voted nine times between 2008 and 2024.
- Massachusetts: Gladys Adaeze Okafor (Nigeria) is charged with illegal voting in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
- Wisconsin: Julieta Englestad (Colombia) faces charges for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in November 2022.
- New Jersey: Santana Coulibaly, a lawful permanent resident, registered in 2016, voted in 2018 and 2020, and submitted a provisional ballot in 2024.
- Michigan: Victoria Viktorivna Aquilina (Russia) is accused of registering in 2023 and voting in the 2024 general election.
Additional allegations include passport fraud, identification-document fraud, and unlawful firearm purchases.
Official Statements & Responses: DOJ, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Government Messaging
The Justice Department issued a press release describing the charges as “accusations” and reiterated the presumption of innocence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “One is too many, but the fact that we have 300,000 cases we’re looking into right now and 1,620 cases that are under investigation, and 151 arrests is unacceptable,” — Markwayne Mullin, secretary
What's Next: Ongoing Investigations and Potential Prosecutions
The Department of Justice indicated that the 16 indictments are only a subset of a larger probe. DHS officials have signaled that investigations continue across suspected cases, with additional arrests possible as the inquiry progresses. Courts will determine guilt or innocence for each defendant, and sentencing could include up to five years in prison for illegal registration and up to one year for illegal voting.