EDNC Unveils Ten Federal Indictments Alleging Noncitizens Voted in the 2024 Election

RALEIGH, N.C. - Today, Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced that a federal grand jury indicted 10 noncitizens, including an illegal alien, for illegally voting in the 2024 elections under 18 U.S.C. 611 and 1015.

"Protecting American elections from criminal interference continues to be one of the top priorities of this FBI," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Today with our Justice Department partners we are announcing arrests and indictments of ten individuals - including one illegal alien and nine non-citizens - who illegally voted in the 2024 election in North Carolina, as alleged. American elections are for American citizens."

"There is no more important right a citizen possesses above the right to vote. All other rights flow from this Constitutional principle when we the people select our government. Every non-citizen who chooses to illegally vote subverts our constitutional republic, actively canceling out the vote of a law-abiding citizen," said U.S, Attorney Ellis Boyle. "This is not a victimless crime, quite the opposite. Every voting citizen is a victim every time. These indictments should serve as a stark warning to anyone contemplating voting illegally in our 2026 election: we are watching, we will find you if you do it, and we will prosecute you."

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina reviewed evidence gathered by the FBI and HSI as presented by federal prosecutors and determined that probable cause existed to return indictments against these ten individuals. Following the indictments, federal agents arrested the defendants.

"The integrity of federal elections is essential to the health of our democracy," said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. "Every FBI field office assigns dedicated election-crimes coordinators because protecting the election process is core to our mission. When questions about voter eligibility arise, we work closely with our state and federal partners to review records, confirm the facts, and ensure election laws are honored. Any violation erodes public trust and dilutes valid votes. When any aspect of our democratic process is threatened, the FBI will act decisively to defend it."

"The right to vote is one of American citizens' most fundamental rights, and protecting our elections' integrity is a responsibility we take seriously," said acting ICE Director David J. Venturella. "When people illegally cast ballots, they undermine the law and the trust Americans place in our democratic process. These arrests send the message that election laws are not optional, and those who violate them will be held accountable. Working alongside our federal and state partners, we will continue to investigate election fraud and hold offenders accountable."

"I want to thank the U.S. Attorney Boyle and our federal law enforcement partners for their diligent work in pursuing these cases," said Sam Hayes, Executive Director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. "Election security is a top priority for the State Board, which is why we established our own Election Security and Enforcement Division. We will aggressively investigate allegations of voter fraud, and other election-related crimes, and we will work closely with state and federal prosecutors to ensure those who violate our election laws are held accountable."

The indictments allege that all ten falsely claimed to be United States citizens to register and vote in the 2024 General Election. The felony offense of falsely claiming citizenship to vote carries the possibility of up to five years in prison. These charges reflect the Department of Justice's commitment to protecting the integrity of federal elections and ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens participate in them.

The grand jury returned indictments against the following individuals:

• Eduardd Omar Majano Sosa, 22, a native of El Salvador and an illegal alien living in Cumberland County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered to vote in 2024 and voted in the 2024 General Election.

• Gjina Gojcaj McDonald, 60, a native of the former Yugoslavia and a lawful permanent resident residing in Robeson County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. She registered to vote in 2008 and voted in the 2024, 2022, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2010, and 2008 General Elections, as well as the 2019 Special Election and the 2012 Primary Election.

• James Edward Herrmann, 47, a native of Germany and a lawful permanent resident residing in Cumberland County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered to vote in 2018 and voted in the 2024 and 2020 General Elections.

• Karl Fout, 73, a native of Germany and a lawful permanent resident residing in Cumberland County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered to vote in 2008 and voted in the 2024, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, and 2008 General Elections.

• Lawton Caswell McKenzie, 46, a native of Jamaica and a lawful permanent resident residing in Wayne County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered to vote in 2007 and 2012 and voted in the 2024, 2020, and 2012 General Elections.

• Lionel Paul, 62, a native of Haiti and a lawful permanent resident residing in Granville County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered to vote in 2024 and voted in the 2024 General Election.

• Ludgardys Olena Matthews, 62, a native of Panama and a lawful permanent resident residing in Cumberland County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. She registered to vote in 2009 and voted in the 2024, 2020, and 2018 General Elections, as well as the 2020 Primary Election.

• Mervin Sylvester Bogle, 60, a native of Jamaica and a lawful permanent resident residing in Harnett County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote. He registered to vote in 2024 and completed a ballot in the 2024 General Election and voted in the 2012 and 2008 General Elections.

• Ramona Abreu-Exia, 71, a native of Germany and a lawful permanent resident residing in Cumberland County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. She registered to vote in 2004 and voted in the 2024, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2010, 2008, and 2004 General Elections, as well as the 2008 Primary Election.

• Robert Harold Corbett, 69, a native of Canada and a lawful permanent resident residing in Wake County, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He voted in 2024, 2016, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, and General Elections. He registered to vote in 1998.

In addition to these recent indictments listed above, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina convicted Denis Joseph Bouchard, 70, a Canadian citizen, for falsely claiming to be a United States citizen when he voted. Although Bouchard had lived in the United States since the 1960s, he never naturalized as a U.S. citizen. He unlawfully certified that he was a U.S. citizen on North Carolina voter registration applications and ballots. His false claims of citizenship to vote in North Carolina elections date back to 2004 and voting records confirm that he cast ballots in nine federal elections between 2004 and 2024. Read more at: Denis Joseph Bouchard Press Release

Additionally, the office previously charged James Darius Osborne, 36, of Wilmington, of falsely claiming he was eligible to vote on voter registration materials or ballots while he was a convicted felon serving a term of supervised release for possessing child pornography. On November 4, 2025, he voted in person at an elementary school polling site during an election and later voted in person at a public library polling site in the February 2026 Primary Election. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for March 2027. Read more at: James Darius Osborne Press Release

This brings the total number of illegal voters indicted and convicted in the EDNC in 2026 to 12.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North CarolinaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case Nos. 5:26-CR-206-M-RN; 5:26-CR-207-D-RN; 5:26-CR-208-FL-RN; 5:26-CR-209-M-RN; 5:26-CR-210-M-BM; 5:26-CR-211-M-RJ; 7:26-CR-64-D-KS; 5:26-CR-215-FL-BM; 5:26-CR-213-FL-RN; 5:26-CR-214-M-BM; 7:25-CR-83-D-RN; 7:26-MJ-1097-RJ

An indictment is merely an accusation. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.