On Friday, the Justice Department revealed that four noncitizens residing in New Jersey are facing charges for unlawfully voting in federal elections and providing false information during their applications for US citizenship.
The individuals charged include David Neewilly, a 73-year-old from Liberia living in Atlantic County; Jacenth Beadle Exum, a 70-year-old from Jamaica residing in Bergen County; Idan Choresh, a 43-year-old from Israel based in Monmouth County; and Abhinandan Vig, a 33-year-old from India, also from Monmouth County. These charges were filed in separate criminal complaints by the New Jersey US Attorney’s Office.
According to the complaints, each of these individuals participated in at least one federal election by falsely claiming US citizenship on their voter registration forms.
The charges follow an investigation by the District of New Jersey’s Election Integrity Task Force.
“The defendants are alleged to have violated federal laws by voting in elections for which they were not eligible and subsequently lying under oath to cover up their actions,” stated New Jersey US Attorney Robert Frazer.
Frazer further emphasized, “These charges underscore our Office’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of the election system and ensuring accountability for those who try to bypass our voting laws and naturalization process.”
Neewilly voted in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, Beadle Exum and Vig voted in the 2020 election and Choresh voted in the 2022 midterm election, according to prosecutors.
The DOJ alleges that after illegally voting in federal elections, the defendants each submitted naturalization paperwork – in an effort to become US citizens – swearing “under penalty of perjury” that they had never registered, or voted, in any federal elections, which prosecutors claimed was false.
“This administration will not tolerate aliens who attempt to vote in our elections when they know they are not eligible,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “As alleged, these green card holders lied in order to register to vote and then lied again to immigration authorities by falsely claiming never to have voted in a federal election.
“This Justice Department will use every authority to protect the integrity of US elections, including by prosecuting any noncitizens who lie about their legal status in an attempt to vote.”
Neewilly was charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and making false statements in relation to naturalization. He faces a maximum of 11 years in prison if convicted.
Choresh was charged with voting by an alien in a federal election, making false statements in relation to naturalization and procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully. He faces 16 years behind bars if convicted.
Vig was charged with procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully and faces 10 years imprisonment if found guilty.
Beadle Exum was charged with making false statements in relation to naturalization under two different statutes and faces 15 years in prison if convicted.
“Securing our elections from criminal actors here at home and around the world is one of the top priorities for this FBI,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
“Noncitizens voting is a federal crime – period – and while other administrations may have looked the other way in the past, those days are over,” he warned. “We continue to work around the clock with our interagency partners to ensure those who engage in such conduct will not get away with it.”
