Justice Department charges 16 across multiple states with alleged illegal voting, election crimes
Department of Justice Announces 16 New Charges in Alleged Illegal Voting Cases Across Seven States
WASHINGTON – In a broad sweep of election‑law enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday charged 16 people in several states for allegedly voting while lacking U.S. citizenship, falsifying citizenship claims, and engaging in related fraud. The indictment covers cases that span Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan, and includes the first charges against eight non‑citizens living in Texas.
The DOJ’s announcement was accompanied by a stern warning on its official social‑media channels, urging that any “anyone trying to cheat and undermine our elections” be deterred. “Let this be a warning to ANYONE trying to cheat and undermine our elections. Spread the word!” the agency posted.
Allegations and the Cases
The indictment alleges a range of election‑related violations, including:
- Voting in federal elections as a non‑citizen
- False claims of U.S. citizenship to register or vote
- Submission of false statements in naturalization applications
- Passport and identification fraud
- Wire fraud and firearms‑related offenses
The cases are part of the Trump administration’s “largest denaturalization effort in DOJ history,” the agency said, noting that 50 non‑citizens have been charged with illegal voting to date.
Key Individuals Named in the Indictments
Analiea Milliscent Eccles – A Venezuelan national and DACA recipient who allegedly voted nine times between 2008 and 2024 in the state of Georgia. Eccles faces charges of voting as a non‑citizen and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
Avila Gomez – A Mexican national residing in Idaho who is accused of falsifying U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote and then casting ballots in May 2022 and November 2024. The indictment also lists charges of wire fraud, passport fraud, false identification, and a firearm‑related offense.
Santana Coulibaly – A lawful permanent resident in New Jersey who registered to vote in 2016, voted in federal elections in 2018 and 2020, and submitted a provisional ballot in the 2024 presidential election. Coulibaly is also accused of making false statements on her naturalization application.
Eight non‑citizens in Texas – The DOJ identified eight residents of the state who were charged in separate allegations of voting fraud, though the agency did not release specific names at the time of the announcement.
Other defendants are located in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan; the DOJ has not yet disclosed the details of those cases.
Statements from DOJ Officials
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald, head of the DOJ Fraud Division, told Fox News that the Trump administration has now charged 50 non‑citizens with illegal voting. “America’s elections are for Americans,” McDonald said.
Updates from Homeland Security
In a separate interview, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin revealed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting a wider investigation into alleged illegal voting. Mullin said that DHS has 1,620 open cases and has made 151 arrests, and that the agency is reviewing more than 300,000 suspected cases, a number he said “continues to grow.”
He added, “Every single vote that was at the hands of an illegal immigrant canceled out a citizen that was legally registered and able to vote. One is too many, but the fact that we have 300,000 cases we’re looking into right now and 1,620 cases that are under investigation, and 151 arrests is unacceptable.”
Legal Process and Presumptions of Innocence
The DOJ has emphasized that the charges are accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The indictment will be filed in federal court, and the defendants will have the opportunity to challenge the charges and present defenses.
Background on the Alleged Illegal Voting Investigation
The DOJ’s current focus follows a long‑running federal effort to address alleged non‑citizen voting, a subject that has generated heated debate in recent election cycles. The agency’s investigation has uncovered a range of alleged fraud, from forged identification documents to false naturalization statements, and has led to indictments that span from 2008 through the 2024 election cycle.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The announcement has sparked reactions across the political spectrum. Some observers have praised the DOJ for its “vigorous enforcement of election law,” while others have expressed concerns that the broad indictments could cast doubt on the integrity of legitimate voters.
The DOJ has not yet disclosed when the cases will be heard in court. In the meantime, the agency has urged the public to verify voter registration records and to report suspicious activity to local election officials.
For the defendants, the next step will involve arraignment and the possibility of plea negotiations. For the broader public, the DOJ’s action underscores the federal government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the nation’s elections.