More than two dozen people arrested last week in what authorities describe as California’s largest voter-fraud operation have now been formally charged.
The defendants include several lawful permanent residents and are facing federal charges ranging from illegal voting to making false statements on naturalization applications.
The cases come as federal officials intensify their investigation into alleged election-related misconduct across California.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants took part in fraudulent voter registrations, cast ballots unlawfully and committed other election offenses.
Federal agents carried out raids throughout California last Monday as part of a statewide enforcement action called “Operation Protect the Vote.”
Authorities said the suspects were identified from a database containing more than 20,000 people allegedly listed as noncitizens who had registered to vote in next month’s midterm election.
The California Post witnessed Homeland Security Investigations agents arrive at the City of Commerce home of Alexander Muñoz shortly after 6 a.m. and take him into custody.
Muñoz, 72, a Belizean national, allegedly registered to vote in September 2019 after falsely claiming to be a US citizen, prosecutors said. Court records allege that he later voted in the 2020 election, twice in 2022 and again in 2024.
Investigators also accuse Muñoz of misleading officials during his naturalization application by swearing that he had never previously claimed US citizenship. He faces felony counts, including allegedly making false statements on a naturalization application.
Muñoz has prior US convictions for grand theft and narcotics possession.
The California arrests were part of a broader operation that also targeted suspects in Florida, New York, Nevada and Pennsylvania over similar alleged offenses.
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In all, federal authorities charged 48 people nationwide who are accused of being noncitizens involved in illegal voting or related conduct.
Los Angeles’ top prosecutor has separately cautioned that the upcoming midterm elections face a serious risk of being “corrupted.”
Bill Essayli, First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District, said the charges against Muñoz and the other California defendants support the federal government’s assertion that voter fraud may be widespread.
Among those charged is José Probitsado Amaro, 51, a Philippine citizen who lives in National City in San Diego County. Investigators allege that Amaro registered to vote after falsely declaring himself to be a US citizen.
Authorities further allege that Amaro voted in the November 2024 general election and gave false information during his naturalization interview, including denying that he had ever claimed US citizenship and misstating his voting history.
Moe Thida Lwin, 57, a Myanmar national living in Daly City near San Francisco, is also facing charges. Officials say Lwin fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and later cast a ballot in a US election.
The prosecutions have unfolded amid a growing legal dispute between the Justice Department and California over more than 20,000 voters whom federal officials claim are noncitizens.
The DOJ has urged California to set aside the ballots in question. State officials argue that federal authorities lack the power to intervene while the election process is already underway.
During a Sunday hearing, the three judges overseeing the case appeared receptive to California’s position but ended the session without issuing a decision. Federal and state lawyers are scheduled to return to court Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the DOJ has sent letters to every county in California asking election officials to help identify any noncitizen voters. It has also sued California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder for having noncitizens on voter rolls.
Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted the DOJ’s attempts as a desperate “clown show” on Saturday — but Essayli quipped back: “Hey Fraud King. We’re not waiting for them to vote. You’re not allowed to have any noncitizens on your voter rolls. ‘Period. Full stop.’”
