Full Breakdown
Federal Indictments Target Ten Non-Citizens in Minnesota Voting Cases and Prompt Judicial Misconduct Complaint
By Drooid · · How we work
The Indictments
On September 24, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted ten lawful permanent residents for falsifying citizenship claims to register and vote in Minnesota. Charges include a felony for false citizenship and a class A misdemeanor for “voting by an alien.”
- Bhator Konah Bryant, 61, Liberian – claimed citizenship on Oct 18 2024.
- Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, 59, Lithuanian – voted on Nov 8 2022.
- Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, 63, Ghanaian – voted Aug 11 2026; claimed citizenship Oct 23 2024 and Aug 11 2026.
- Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48, Liberian – voted and claimed citizenship Nov 5 2024.
- Paul Kras, 78, German – voted Nov 5 2024.
- Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, 58, Bosnian; Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, 62, Brazilian; Chris Adam Pettiquoi, 43, Liberian; Christian Liam Schenk, 47, Canadian; Hester Sophia Weihmann, 69, South African – each charged for voting and false-citizenship claims on Nov 5 2024.
All appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elsa M. Bullard on Sept 28-29, 2026; the Massachusetts-based defendant will appear Sept 30, 2026. Weihmann’s state-court plea is set for early October.
Background & Context
Minnesota’s 2024 general election recorded 3,272,414 votes. State records show 57 ineligible-voter charges (2021-2025) with 14 convictions. Federal voter-fraud prosecutions have risen sharply since the Trump administration, with the Justice Department reporting >90 cases, including 50 involving non-citizens in the past five weeks.
Data & Statistics
- 10 defendants indicted.
- 9 counts of illegal voting by alien; 9 counts of false citizenship claims.
- Penalties: up to 5 years and $250,000 for false-citizenship; up to 1 year and $100,000 for voting-by-alien.
- DHS reports >1,600 active investigations into non-citizen voting nationwide.
Official Statements & Responses
U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen called the conduct “stealing” a citizenship-based voting privilege and noted the department is reviewing “more than 1,600” cases and “300,000 potential leads” from voter records in 47 states and territories.
The Justice Department also filed a judicial-misconduct complaint with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, alleging that several Minnesota federal judges breached ethical rules by commenting publicly on pending immigration cases. The complaint seeks their recusal from any DHS-related matters.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today's charges allege that ten foreign nationals committed voter fraud in Minnesota, one voting illegally as recently as this August's primary,” — Attorney General Todd Blanche
- “Our message to aliens who vote in American elections is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face the consequences, including criminal charges and deportation,” — DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of nationwide investigations (some cite “more than 1,600,” others “1,600” plus “300,000 potential leads”). No independent verification is provided, and the Minnesota Secretary of State has not disclosed how many alleged illegal votes were actually cast.
What’s Next
- Weihmann’s state-court plea hearing in early October.
- The 8th Circuit will review the DOJ misconduct complaint and may order judicial recusal.
- Federal prosecutors indicate additional non-citizen voting investigations remain open, suggesting further indictments could follow before the November midterms.