The Department of Justice announced indictments Wednesday against 10 foreign nationals accused of committing voter fraud in Minnesota.
Attorney General Todd Blanche explained during a press conference that the 10 individuals are alleged to have committed unlawful voting or registration offenses.
One of the defendants is accused of illegally voting as recently as August.
“The law is clear, only American citizens may vote in American elections, and enforcing this law is fundamental to our democracy. That should not be a partisan concept,” Blanche said.
According to the DOJ, the 10 defendants are:
- Liberian national Bhator Konah Bryant, 61, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote. She is alleged to have falsely claimed U.S. citizenship when registering to vote on Oct. 18, 2024.
- Lithuanian national Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, 59, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of voting by alien. She is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota on Nov. 8, 2022.
- Ghanaian national Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, 63, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on two counts of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota on Aug. 11, 2026, and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Oct. 23, 2024 and Aug. 11, 2026.
- Liberian national Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- German national Paul Kras, 78, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Bosnian national Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, 58, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Brazilian national Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, 62, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Liberian national Chis Adam Pettiquoi, 43, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Canadian national Christian Liam Schenk, 47, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- South African national Hester Sophia Weihmann, 69, a lawful permanent resident who has been charged on one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by alien. She is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in order to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
“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,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, this administration will never allow the votes of American citizens to be cancelled out by non-citizens illegally voting in our elections. Only American citizens should be electing American leaders.”
All of the defendants have made their initial appearances in federal court. The charge of false claim of citizenship in order to vote carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, while voting by aliens carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year.
“Voting in American elections is a privilege of American citizenship,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen. “Stealing that privilege is a crime. When, in order to obtain a ballot, a non-citizen swears he or she is a citizen, we will prosecute.”
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
