Minneapolis – A federal grand jury has indicted ten individuals who are not U.S. citizens for allegedly committing voter fraud in Minnesota. The indictments were announced Thursday by U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen, who stressed that “voting in American elections is a privilege of American citizenship” and that anyone who pretends to be a citizen to obtain a ballot will be prosecuted.
Who was charged
The defendants, all foreign nationals, face either one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote, one count of voting as an illegal immigrant, or both. Their alleged offenses span from the 2022 general election to recent 2026 voting dates.
- Bhator Konah Bryant, 61, Liberian – false citizenship claim on Oct. 18, 2024.
- Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, 59, Lithuanian – voted illegally on Nov. 8, 2022.
- Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, 63, Ghanaian – false citizenship claims on Oct. 23, 2024 and Aug. 11, 2026; illegal vote on Aug. 11, 2026.
- Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48, Liberian – false claim and illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Paul Kras, 78, German – illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, 58, Bosnian – false claim and illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, 62, Brazilian – false claim and illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Chis Adam Pettiquoi, 43, Liberian – false claim and illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
- Christian Liam Schenk, 47, Canadian – false claim and illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024 (initial appearance in Massachusetts).
- Hester Sophia Weihmann, 69, South African – false claim and illegal vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
Legal consequences
If convicted of the felony charge of making a false claim of citizenship, each defendant could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The misdemeanor charge of voting as an illegal immigrant carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000.
Federal response
Attorney Rosen said the indictments demonstrate the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting the integrity of American elections. “Stealing the privilege of voting is a crime,” he said. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute any attempts by non‑citizens to subvert our democratic process.”
Context for Minnesotans
While the number of illegal‑immigrant voting cases remains relatively low, the federal government has increased scrutiny of voter registration processes nationwide. State officials have urged voters to verify their citizenship status when registering and to report any suspicious activity.
Local election administrators in Minnesota have reiterated that the state’s voter‑registration system includes multiple checks to confirm eligibility. Nonetheless, these indictments serve as a reminder that the federal justice system will act decisively when violations are uncovered.
What’s next
The ten defendants have all made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elsa M. Bullard. Their cases will proceed through the federal court system, where they will have the opportunity to contest the charges.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about election‑integrity measures and to participate in the democratic process responsibly. The Justice Department’s actions underscore the principle that the right to vote belongs exclusively to those who have earned American citizenship.
Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.
