DOJ files charges against 28 alleged noncitizen voters snared in massive California ballot fraud bust
More than two dozen suspects arrested last week in California’s biggest-ever voter fraud bust have been charged.The defendants, some of whom were legal lawful residents, were charged in federal courts with a range of crimes including false statements in a naturalization application.The charges come as federal authorities in California escalate their fight in the state over alleged wrongdoing in election processes.Prosecutors say the crimes were committed in connection with illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, and related election crimes. Federal agents arrested the defendants in a series of raids across California raids last Monday under a statewide takedown dubbed “Operation Protect the Vote.” They were identified from a list of more than 20,000 suspected noncitizens in the state who allegedly registered to vote in next month’s midterm election.The California Post was there as Homeland Security Investigations swooped on the City of Commerce home of Alexander Muñoz around 6 a.m., swiftly taking the suspect into custody.Muñoz, 72, a Belizean national, fraudulently registered to vote in September 2019, claiming he was a US citizen, according to prosecutors.He then voted in US elections in 2020, twice in 2022, and in 2024, court papers say.Muñoz also lied on his application to become a naturalized US citizen, when he falsely stated under oath to have never claimed US citizenship, investigators say.
He faces felony charges including making false statements in a naturalization application.Muñoz has previous convictions in the US for grand theft and narcotics possession.The defendants in California were arrested alongside suspects in Florida, New York, Nevada and Pennsylvania who are charged with similar crimes.Nationwide, 48 alleged noncitizens were charged.Los Angeles’ top prosecutor has warned upcoming midterm elections are under serious risk of being “corrupted.”The charges brought against Muñoz and other suspects in the state buttress...