Nine Pennsylvania Non-Citizens Charged With Illegally Voting in Federal Elections, Facing Up to 2 Years
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on October 23 that nine non-citizens in Pennsylvania have been charged with illegally voting in federal elections while allegedly knowing they were not U.S. citizens. The cases were announced by U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and U.S. Attorney Brian Miller of the Middle District, and were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Prosecutors said all nine are lawful permanent residents. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Four defendants are charged in the Eastern District: Artur Kopacz, 50, of Philadelphia, a Polish citizen, faces two counts for allegedly voting in 2022 and 2024 and a maximum of two years in prison; Osmal Loy of Fountain Hill (Cuba), Yehuda Peer of Merion Station (Israel) and Alfredo Santiesteban of Philadelphia (Cuba) are charged with voting in 2024. Five are charged in the Middle District: Joyce Donovan, 38, and Nina Nyawara, 21, both of Selinsgrove (Kenya); Inna Henry, 52, of Harrisburg (Russia), charged with voting in 2022 and 2024; Nourten Kuruju, 64, of Luzerne (Greece, 2022); and Joyce Pitts, 80, of Effort (Netherlands, 2024). The remaining defendants each face up to one year in prison and a fine.
"Upholding the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable," Metcalf said. Miller said illegal voting "steals the power of our votes." HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel said the agency will continue pursuing conduct that undermines election integrity.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国司法部总部大楼。The U.S. Department of Justice headquarters building.
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