Federal Grand Jury Indicts Ten Aliens for Voter Fraud in Minnesota Elections

MINNEAPOLIS - Ten defendants were separately indicted on Sept. 24 by a federal grand jury for voter fraud. All defendants have made their initial appearances in federal court. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted the investigations. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota made the announcement.

"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 DHS 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."

The defendants and their charges include:

• Bhator Konah Bryant, 61, a Liberian alien, 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.
• Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, 59, a Lithuanian alien, on one count of voting by alien. She is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota on Nov. 8, 2022.
• Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, 63, a Ghanian alien, 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 to vote on Oct. 23, 2024, and Aug. 11, 2026.
• Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48, a Liberian alien, 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 to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
• Paul Kras, 78, a German alien, on one count of voting by alien. He is alleged to have voted illegally as an alien in Minnesota on Nov. 5, 2024.
• Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, 58, a Bosnian alien, 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 to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
• Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, 62, a Brazilian alien, 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 to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
• Chis Adam Pettiquoi, 43, a Liberian alien, 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 to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
• Christian Liam Schenk, 47, a Canadian alien, 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 to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
• Hester Sophia Weihmann, 69, a South African alien, 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 to vote on Nov. 5, 2024.

The charge of false claim of citizenship in order to vote is a violation of federal law and carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Voting by aliens is a violation of federal law and is a class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a maximum fine of $100,000.

These cases were the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from USCIS.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

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