Case Summary
- Case Type
- Fraud/White Collar
- Location
- unspecified
- Investigating Agency
- Department of Justice
- Suspect
- Monica Carzoli, Avila Gomez, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, Julieta Englestad, Santana Coulibaly, Victoria Viktorivna Aquilina
- Charges
- unlawful voting by non-citizens in federal elections, false claims of citizenship to register or vote, wire fraud, naturalization fraud, passport fraud, unlawful firearm purchases, Voting by Alien, False Statement of Citizenship in Order to Vote, Theft of Government Funds, False Statement in Application of Passport, Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents Production, False Statement During Purchase of Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Firearm
- Arrest Status
- Arrested / Charged
- Court Status
- Pending
- Case Status
- Pending
The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against 16 individuals across the country for alleged illegal voting, non-citizen registration, and related election fraud offenses, according to official agency records released this week.
Federal authorities said the nationwide enforcement action involves defendants residing in Texas, Georgia, Idaho, and other states accused of casting unauthorized ballots, making false claims of U.S. citizenship, and committing associated fraud.
Incident Overview
According to a release from the Department of Justice, federal prosecutors charged 16 individuals following investigations into non-citizen voting and voter registration fraud across several states. Authorities said the offenses include unlawful voting in federal elections, false citizenship claims, wire fraud, naturalization fraud, passport fraud, and illegal firearm purchases.
The DOJ detailed cases against eight non-citizens in Texas, three individuals in Georgia, and an indicted individual in Idaho. Federal law strictly prohibits non-citizens from registering or voting in federal elections.
Suspect Information
Official records from the Department of Justice identify several of the charged individuals:
- Monica Carzoli: A 46-year-old Mexican national and lawful permanent resident in Texas who allegedly admitted to registering and voting in November 2024 before her arrest in Del Rio, Texas.
- Avila Gomez: An undocumented Mexican national charged in Boise, Idaho, with wire fraud, passport fraud, firearm violations, and unlawful voting after allegedly claiming U.S. citizenship to vote in 2022 and 2024.
- Gladys Adaeze Okafor: A 56-year-old Nigerian national and lawful permanent resident in Georgia charged with voting in the 2022 and 2024 general elections.
- Julieta Englestad: A 53-year-old Colombian national and lawful permanent resident in Georgia charged with falsely claiming citizenship to register for the 2022 election.
- Santana Coulibaly: A lawful permanent resident who registered in 2016, voted in 2018 and 2020, submitted a provisional ballot in 2024, and allegedly submitted fraudulent naturalization applications.
- Victoria Viktorivna Aquilina: A 43-year-old Russian national charged with illegally voting in the 2024 general election after registering in 2023.
Police Response
Federal law enforcement officers processed charges and executed arrest warrants for several defendants across multiple jurisdictions, including arresting Monica Carzoli in Del Rio, Texas, and taking other defendants into custody following grand jury indictments.
Investigation
The investigations were conducted by federal investigative agencies under the Department of Justice. Federal agents reviewed voter registration logs, election ballots, immigration files, passport documents, and background check records to substantiate allegations of non-citizen voting and federal fraud.
Arrest Details
Department of Justice records show several defendants were taken into custody this week, including Monica Carzoli in Texas and Santana Coulibaly. Other defendants were charged through grand jury indictments in federal court districts such as Boise, Idaho.
Charges Filed
The Department of Justice listed multiple criminal charges across the filed cases. Under federal criminal procedure, these statutory offenses carry specific definitions and potential penalties:
- Voting by Alien / Unlawful Voting: Prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections. Unlawful voting by an alien is generally a federal misdemeanor carrying up to one year in prison.
- False Statement of Citizenship: Prohibits knowingly claiming U.S. citizenship on voter registration forms or federal documents. This felony carries up to five years in prison upon conviction.
- Wire Fraud: Prohibits using interstate wire communications in schemes to defraud federal agencies or individuals. It carries maximum penalties of up to 20 years in prison per count.
- Naturalization Fraud: Making false statements on citizenship applications carries up to 10 or 15 years in prison and potential revocation of immigration status.
- False Statement in Passport Application: Making false statements on passport documents carries federal prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.
- Firearm Violations: False statements on firearm purchase forms and unlawful firearm possession carry up to 10 or 15 years in federal prison.
- Theft of Government Funds: Prohibits converting government property for personal use, carrying penalties up to 10 years in prison.
Court Information
Indictments and complaints were filed in United States District Courts, including the District of Idaho in Boise and federal courts in Texas and Georgia. Official docket numbers were not provided in the primary press release. Initial court appearances and arraignments take place before U.S. Magistrate Judges in the judicial districts where charges were filed.
Statements from Authorities
In a statement issued by the agency, the Department of Justice noted that complaints and grand jury indictments contain allegations. Officials emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Public Safety Information
Members of the public who suspect election fraud or identity misrepresentation may report concerns to local state election officials or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Non-emergency tips can be made by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or contacting local FBI field offices.
What Happens Next
Defendants face initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judges to address legal representation, conditions of release, or detention. Cases brought by complaint proceed toward grand jury review or preliminary hearings. Defendants who enter not-guilty pleas at arraignment will proceed to trial scheduling, discovery exchange, and pretrial motion practice in federal district court.
