Nine Charged as a Result of Homeland Security Task Force Investigation into Southeastern Connecticut Cocaine Trafficking

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that the following nine individuals have been charged by indictment with offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in southeastern Connecticut:

MICHAEL SMITH, also known as “Miz,” 53, of Lisbon

ANTHONY GOMEZ, also known as “Jungle,” 46, of Norwich

ROBERT DURAN, 46, of Mount Vernon, New York

DEONNA WHITE, 48, of Norwich

ROCKY LAURENT, 48, of New London 

SARAH BUTLER, 43, of Norwich 

HEATHER ROY, 44, of Canterbury

CORDELIA HARRIS, 49, of New London

KEITH NIVAL, 46, of New London 

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, which has included court-authorized wiretaps, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Smith supplied cocaine and crack to a network of redistributors in southeastern Connecticut.  Laurent, Butler, Roy, Harris, and Nival purchased cocaine and crack from Smith and sold it in smaller quantities to their own customers.

It is further alleged that on October 8, 2026, investigators conducting surveillance at a parking lot in Clinton observed Smith, White, and Duran arrive in separate vehicles.  Smith retrieved a reusable shopping bag from White’s vehicle and then drove to another area of the lot to meet Duran.  Smith gave the bag to Duran who then placed a box in the back of Smith’s vehicle.  Smith, White, and Duran were arrested after a search of the box revealed approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine, and a search of the shopping bag revealed more than $170,000 in cash.  Butler was also arrested on October 8, after a search of her residence in the Taftville section of Norwich revealed narcotics and drug packaging materials.  Investigators also searched two of Smith’s vehicles and found cocaine and crack cocaine packaged for redistribution in one vehicle, and a firearm and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in the other vehicle.

Gomez, Roy, Harris, and Nival were arrested on October 15, 2026, and Laurent has been in state custody since September 23, 2026.   Smith, Gomez, Duran, and Nival have been detained since their arrests.

On October 27, 2026, a grand jury in New Haven returned a superseding indictment charging each of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  If convicted of this charge, based on the quantity of cocaine attributed to each defendant, Smith, Gomez, Duran, White, and Laurent face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Butler, Harris, and Roy face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and Nival faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Gomez with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on each count; Smith and Duran with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; and Smith with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $196,353 in cash and five vehicles seized during the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo, Justyn Stokely, and Natasha Freismuth.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Commerce – Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. 

Mayor Mamdani, New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets Bring New Life to Brooklyn Basketball Courts at Fish Playground

 

Renovation delivers new playing surfaces, backboards with nets, fresh paint and new benches as part of $2.89 million initiative to upgrade 13 basketball courts across five Brooklyn parks in neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura and Clara Wu Tsai, founder of the Social Justice Fund and owner of the New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets, today announced the completion of a renovation of three basketball courts at Fish Playground in Brooklyn.

The renovation includes new backboards with nets and repaved courts with a grey, black and seafoam green finish. New benches provide seating for players and spectators, while a new water fountain helps parkgoers stay hydrated. The project also refurbished the chain-link fence with new mesh, preserving sightlines into the park while keeping wayward basketballs from bouncing into the street.

This full renovation is part of a $2.89 million investment by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund to upgrade 13 basketball courts across five Brooklyn parks. The work is funded through NYC Parks’ Adopt-A-Park program.

“Play is a public good and a building block of safe, connected communities,” said Mayor Mamdani. “These renovated courts will give families across Brooklyn the space to play, connect and enjoy their parks. We’re thankful to the Social Justice Fund, the Nets and the Liberty for making that possible.”

“Basketball gives kids a fun and engaging way to stay active, take in some fresh air and connect with friends. Investments like these court renovations can make a huge difference for public safety by giving young people a welcoming space for safe fun, which is especially important in neighborhoods that have historically been underserved,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “With these renovated courts, we’re inviting New Yorkers to make this park into their own Barclays Center, whether they’re casual fans or longtime hoopers. We’re so grateful to our partners at the Social Justice Fund, the Nets and the Liberty for making this renovation possible and for investing nearly $3 million to upgrade basketball courts throughout the borough, focusing on neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence. Projects like this can change lives.”

“Our city’s public basketball courts are more than just places for exercise, they’re a cornerstone of community gathering and connection,” said Clara Wu Tsai, founder of the Social Justice Fund and owner of the New York Liberty and the Brooklyn Nets. “We’re proud to have invested over $2.8 million in 13 courts across Brooklyn over the last years. And we are especially proud that those investments spurred new commitments from across New York City’s departments to protect and preserve more of these vital community spaces. Every pick-up game and every youth league brings our borough closer together.”

“These renovated courts mean that our young scholars can be outside in safe proximity to our school building, while still enjoying the activities that kids would want to do,” said Principal Rashad Meade of Eagle Academy for Young Men II. “Having these here keeps the scholars close and out of harm’s way, which is especially critical for Black and Brown boys in this neighborhood. We’re going to make full use of these new courts.”

In addition to Fish Playground, the Social Justice Fund has sponsored basketball court renovations at Jackie Robinson Playground in Crown Heights, Breukelen Ballfields in East New York, Fox Playground in Flatlands and Sunset Park. Together, the projects have upgraded 13 courts across the five parks.

The sites were selected in consultation with NYC Parks as part of the Social Justice Fund’s racial justice initiative, which aims to expand access to recreation and state-of-the-art park amenities in Brooklyn neighborhoods experiencing acute levels of gun violence.

Fish Playground opened in 1965 and is jointly operated by NYC Parks and the Department of Education. Its name comes from the streets that border it: Fulton Street, Saratoga Avenue and Herkimer Street, whose initials form FSH.

Justice Department Announces Charges Involving 63 Individuals for Election-Related Crimes

 

Today, the Justice Department announced charges involving 63 individuals, including four illegal aliens, in connection with illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, and related election crimes across the country. The cases include voting by aliens in federal elections, false claims of U.S. citizenship to register to vote or to vote, and the fraudulent submission of a voter registration application in another state.

“Today’s announcement marks the largest surge of voter-fraud arrests since President Trump returned to office,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “These foreign nationals allegedly took advantage of the trust of the American people and flouted the laws that govern our nation’s elections. This Department of Justice will continue investigating and prosecuting voter fraud to restore confidence in our electoral system.”

In the last nine weeks alone, the Department has charged 195 aliens across 25 states with illegal voting and registration offenses. Since the beginning of this Administration, we have charged 239 people with voting fraud-related offenses.

Case details are as follows:

Northern District of Georgia 

Benito Covarrubias Iniguez, 64, an illegal alien from Mexico has been charged with making a false claim of U.S. citizenship in order to vote in a federal election. 

Southern District of Texas

Five aliens, including an illegal alien, have been charged with election-related crimes.

• Ali Khan, 33, an illegal alien from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, has been charged with voting by an alien. Khan allegedly voted in the 2024 election.
• Nigerian national Mohammed Omar Hassan, 61, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Hassan allegedly voted in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
• Mexican national Diego Benavides Rodriguez, 29, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien and an additional charge of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
• Mexican national Jose Vasquez-Mendoza, 51, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Vasquez-Mendoza allegedly voted in the 2022 special election for Congressional District 34.
• Mexican national Karen Hinojosa-Martinez, 37, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with lying on immigration documents after allegedly voting in a federal election.

District of Maryland

Mohammad Hachibur Rahman, 33, an illegal alien from Bangladesh, is charged by information with unlawful voting. Rahman allegedly voted in the November 2024 election. The election was held in part for the purpose of selecting a candidate for president, vice president, or member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. 

Eastern District of North Carolina

Nine aliens, including an illegal alien, have been charged with election-related crimes.

• Selvin Porfidio Gonzalez Escobar, 43, an illegal alien from Guatemala living in Robeson County, North Carolina, is charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered to vote in 2020 and voted in the 2024 and 2020 general elections. 
• Italian and British national Amerigo Di Nolfi, 53, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Di Nolfi allegedly registered to vote in 2024 and voted in the 2024 general election.
• Kenyan national Elizabeth Margaret Crudup, 52, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Crudup allegedly registered to vote in 2008 and voted in nine general elections in 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, and 2008, as well as nine primary elections in 2026, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, and 2008.

Kenyan national Elizabeth Margaret Crudup, 52, a lawful permanent resident.

Bermudan national Gregory Eugene Wade, 64, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Wade allegedly registered to vote in 2000 and voted in 12 general elections in 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2004, 2002, and 2000, as well as the 2020 and 2002 primary elections.

Singaporean national Jacqueline Yvonne Papandreou Brown, 63, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Brown allegedly registered to vote in 2020 and voted in the 2024 general election.

Jamaican national Karl Anthony Wilkins, 62, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Wilkins allegedly registered to vote in 2018 and voted in the 2024, 2022, and 2020 general elections, as well as the 2020 primary election in Wake County, North Carolina.

Jamaican national Karl Anthony Wilkins, 62, a lawful permanent resident.

• Colombian national Patricia Elena Valencia Cardona, 56, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Cardona registered to vote in 2024 and voted in the 2024 general election.
• United Kingdom national Richard John Reid, 62, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Reid registered to vote in 2002 and voted in four general elections in 2024, 2020, 2012, and 2008, as well as the 2012 and 2008 primary elections.
• Canadian national Taso Gretes, 58, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. Gretes allegedly registered to vote in 2022 and voted in the 2024 general election.

Middle District of North Carolina

Five aliens have been charged with election-related crimes.

• Dutch national Adrianus Marinus Van Der Staak, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged by indictment with one count of knowingly making a false statement or claim of U.S. citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien.
• Mexican national Saida Adali Hirachete Olivarez, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged by indictment with one count of knowingly making a false statement or claim of U.S. citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien.
• Cuban national Juan Florencio Ramos, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged by indictment with one count of knowingly making a false statement or claim of U.S. citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien.
• Barbadian national Phillip Alexander Carter, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged by indictment with one count of knowingly making a false statement or claim of U.S. citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien.
• Argentinian national Yamila Avalos, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged by information with one count of voting by an alien.

Western District of North Carolina

Four aliens have been charged with election-related crimes.

• Nigerian national Michael Agah, 74, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien and making a false claim to U.S. citizenship to vote. Agah allegedly falsely stated and claimed that he was a U.S. citizen on an Authorization to Vote Form. Then on Nov. 5, 2024, Agah voted in a federal election. 
• Dominican national Luis Alberto DeJesus, 50, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and making a false claim to U.S. citizenship to vote. It is alleged that DeJesus falsely stated on an Early Voting Application that he was a U.S. citizen and thereafter voted on Oct. 30, 2024, knowing that he was not a U.S. citizen and was not legally permitted to cast a ballot.
• French national Serge Christian Dupont, 57, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien and making a false claim to U.S. citizenship to vote. It is alleged that on Nov. 5, 2024, Dupont made a false statement and claimed that he was a citizen of the United States on an Authorization to Vote Form. Dupont then did vote on the same day in a federal election.
• St. Kitts and Nevis national Edread Ray Stanley, 63, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. It is alleged that Stanley, knowing that he was not a U.S. citizen, knowingly voted on Nov. 5, 2024, in a federal election. 

Middle District of Tennessee

Three aliens have been charged with election-related crimes.

• Jamaican national Garfield St. Vincent Bruce, 48, a lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in the 2024 election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for President, Vice President, Member of the U.S. Senate, or Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and allegedly falsely and willfully represented himself to be a citizen of the United States in a Tennessee voter registration application in 2024 in order to register to vote or to vote in a federal, state, or local election.

Jamaican national Garfield St. Vincent Bruce, 48, a lawful permanent resident.

• Honduran national Mariela Elizabeth Avila Ortiz, 33, a lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in the 2024 election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for President, Vice President, Member of the U.S. Senate, or Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and allegedly falsely and willfully represented herself to be a citizen of the United States in a Tennessee voter registration application in 2024 in order to register to vote or to vote in a federal, state, or local election. 

Honduran national Mariela Elizabeth Avila Ortiz, 33, a lawful permanent resident.

• Trinidad and Tobago national Allison Melissa Wilkes, 49, a lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in the 2024 election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for President, Vice President, Member of the U.S. Senate, or Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and allegedly falsely and willfully represented herself to be a citizen of the United States in a Tennessee voter registration application in 2024 in order to register to vote or to vote in a federal, state, or local election.  

Trinidad and Tobago national Allison Melissa Wilkes, 49, a lawful permanent resident.

Western District of Tennessee

Two aliens have been charged with voting by an alien.

• Mexican national Cesar Sanchez Correa, 44, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with one count of unlawful voting by an alien. Sanchez Correa allegedly illegally voted in Haywood County, TN in the 2024 election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for President, Vice President, Member of the U.S. Senate, or Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and allegedly falsely and willfully represented himself to be a citizen of the United States in a Tennessee voter registration application in order to vote in a federal, state, or local election. 
• German national Andreas Van Der Werf, 62, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with two counts of unlawful voting by an alien. Van Der Werf allegedly illegally voted in Fayette County, TN in both the 2022 and 2024 elections held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for President, Vice President, Member of the U.S. Senate, or Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and allegedly falsely and willfully represented himself to be a citizen of the United States in a Tennessee voter registration application in order to vote in a federal, state, or local election.

Eastern District of Tennessee

Two aliens have been charged with illegally voting.

• Iraqi national Mark Adwar Odisho, 30, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, 2024. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Oct.29.

Iraqi national Mark Adwar Odisho, 30, a lawful permanent resident.

• French national Frederic Jean Rene Sicard, 50, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, 2024. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Oct. 30, 2026.

French national Frederic Jean Rene Sicard, 50, a lawful permanent resident.

District of New Jersey

Two aliens have been charged with election-related crimes. 

• Jamaican national Antonio Mitchell, 54, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien and unlawfully attempting to procure U.S. citizenship. Mitchell has also been charged with an additional count of making false statements while applying for U.S. citizenship. Mitchell allegedly voted in-person in the 2022 general election. Mitchell falsely claimed that he had never registered to vote or voted in any federal elections. Additionally, after submitting his application for naturalization (N-400), Mitchell was interviewed by an Immigration Services Officer.  In that interview and while under oath, Mitchell denied having registered to vote, or having voted, in any federal election.

Jamaican national Antonio Mitchell, 54, a lawful permanent resident.

• Italian national Andrea Morzetta, 72, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien and unlawfully attempting to procure U.S. citizenship. Morzetta allegedly voted in-person in the November 2024 general election and falsely claimed that he had never registered to vote or voted in any federal elections when applying for U.S. citizenship.  

Italian national Andrea Morzetta, 72, a lawful permanent resident.

Western District of Wisconsin

Two aliens have been charged with election-related crimes.

• Canadian national Monique Gignac-Yochum, 60, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting as an alien in the November 2022 and November 2024 elections. Gignac-Yochum allegedly voted, knowing she was not a U.S. citizen, in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the offices of Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Vice President, and President.

Canadian national Monique Gignac-Yochum, 60, a lawful permanent resident.

• Canadian national Rodger Dedrick, 66, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting as an alien in November 2024. He is also charged with falsely claiming U.S. Citizenship when registering to vote in August 2024.

Northern District of New York

Two aliens have been charged with voting by an alien.

• Indian national Pooja Pawse, 31, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Pawse allegedly voted in the 2024 General Election while knowing that she was not a U.S. citizen.
• Afghan national Mobin Tora Kheil, 33, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Kheil allegedly voted in the 2024 General Election while knowing that he was not a U.S. citizen.

Afghan national Mobin Tora Kheil, 33, a lawful permanent resident.

District of Utah

Samoan national Valelia Toleafoa, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Toleafoa allegedly voted in November 2024.

Western District of Missouri

Canadian national Christopher Doucet, 68, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen in order to register to vote. Doucet allegedly registered to vote in January 2024 and voted in a general municipal election at the Living Hope Restoration Branch polling place in Independence, Mo. 

Canadian national Christopher Doucet, 68, a lawful permanent resident.

District of Nevada

Four aliens have been charged with illegally voting.

• Argentinian national Mariela Delia Mendoza, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Mendoza allegedly voted in November 2024 in an election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Member of the Senate, and Member of the House of Representatives. She was not a U.S. citizen.
• Sudanese national Moneir Elzobier Ali Yousif, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Yousif allegedly voted in an election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Member of the Senate, and Member of the House of Representatives. 
• Afghan national Khalida Safi, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Safi allegedly voted in an election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Member of the Senate, and Member of the House of Representatives.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo national Mlebinge Riziki Ramadhani, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting. Mlebinge Riziki Ramadhani allegedly voted in an election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Member of the Senate, and Member of the House of Representatives. 

District of New Mexico

Robert Glenn Johnson, 63, of Annapolis, Maryland, has been charged for fraudulently submitting a voter registration application in New Mexico. Johnson allegedly submitted a voter registration application to the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office Bureau of Elections in Albuquerque falsely claiming to be a New Mexico resident.

Central District of California

Six aliens have been charged with making false statements on their naturalization applications.

• Filipino national Sirgalahad Camua, 43, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with making false statements on his naturalization applications. Camua allegedly illegally registered to vote in August 2009 by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He voted by mail-in ballot in May 2020, November 2024, and June 2026. In May 2025, Camua filed paperwork seeking to become a naturalized U.S. citizen and, under penalty of perjury, falsely stated that he had neither claimed to be a U.S. citizen nor had he registered to vote in U.S. elections.
• Mexican national Krystel Capi Valle, 31, a lawful permanent resident has been charged with making false statements on her naturalization applications. Capi Valle in June 2026 swore under penalty of perjury on her naturalization form that she had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen nor had she registered to vote in U.S. elections. In fact, in October 2022 she illegally registered to vote by lying that she was a U.S. citizen. She then illegally voted by mail-in ballot in the November 2022 election.
• Israeli national Moria Dahan, 35, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with making false statements on her naturalization applications. Dahan allegedly illegally registered to vote and voted in person on Nov. 5, 2024, the date of the U.S. general election. She falsely claimed under penalty of perjury to be a U.S. citizen. On her naturalization form dated November 6, 2025, she falsely stated under penalty of perjury that she never claimed to be a U.S. citizen nor had she registered to vote in a U.S. election.

Israeli national Moria Dahan, 35, a lawful permanent resident.

Canadian citizen Chad Goertz, 52, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with making false statements on his naturalization applications. Goertz allegedly illegally registered to vote in April 2018 and illegally voted by mail in the November 2022 and November 2024 U.S. elections. In February 2026, Goertz lied under oath on his naturalization form when he denied having ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen and denied having ever registered to vote in a U.S. election.

• Iranian national Mahyar Nikzad, 35, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with making false statements on his naturalization applications. Nikzad allegedly illegally registered to vote and under penalty of perjury checked the box on his voter registration form reading, “I am a U.S. citizen.” Records indicate that Nikzad voted in the March 2024 and November 2024 U.S. elections. In February 2026, under penalty of perjury, he falsely stated that he never claimed to be a U.S. citizen and denied ever registering to become a U.S. voter.

Iranian national Mahyar Nikzad, 35, a lawful permanent resident.

• Mexican national Gilberto Ruiz, 46, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with making false statements on his naturalization applications. Ruiz in July 2022 allegedly registered to vote and he voted by mail-in ballot in three elections: November 2022, March 2024, and November 2024, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. In August 2025, under penalty of perjury, Ruiz denied ever claiming to be a U.S. citizen and denied having ever registered to vote.

Eastern District of California

Six aliens have been charged with illegally voting.

• Filipino national Lorie Jane Alcala, 44, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting. Alcala allegedly voted in November 2024 in the U.S. presidential election.
• Filipino national Edith San Pedro Carter, 59, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election in November 2024.
• Portuguese national Maria Joao Bettencourt, 49, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election in November 2024.
• Portuguese national Rosa Bento Silva Anderson, 26, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election in November 2024.
• Filipino national Janelyn Stewart, 38, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election in November 2024.
• Filipino national Meryll Joy Quirong Costi, 36, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with illegally voting in the November 2024 presidential election and the November 2022 midterm election.

Eastern District of Arkansas

Mexican national Juan Manuel Gudino, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Gudino allegedly registered to vote in 2022 and voted in the 2022 general election.

Eastern District of Pennsylvania 

Five aliens have been charged with election-related crimes. 

• Dominican Republic national Rosanny Fabre Villa, 28, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with making a false statement of citizenship in order to vote. Villa allegedly submitted a voter registration application that she knew was fraudulent, because on it she falsely claimed to be a United States citizen, when, as she knew, she was not a U.S. citizen.
• Canadian national Gavin Moir, 55, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with four counts of voting by an alien. Moir allegedly voted in the 2022 and 2024 general elections, and the 2022 and 2026 primaries. 
• Jamaican national Antonio Lyttle, 68, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Lyttle allegedly voted in the 2024 general election. 
• Indonesian national Widarto, 56, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Widarto allegedly voted in the 2024 general election.
• Finnish national Eija Annikki Yaroma, 66, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien. Yaroma allegedly voted in the 2024 general election.

A complaint, indictment, and information merely contain accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attorney General James Secures $500,000 from Bloomberg News for Deceiving Consumers about Subscriptions

 

Bloomberg News Must Pay Penalties, Improve Policies, and Provide Refunds for Eligible Customers 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured $500,000 from Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg News) for failing to inform customers of subscription terms, including automatic renewals that came with drastic price increases. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that subscribers faced increasing fees without warning and that Bloomberg News made it difficult for users to cancel their subscriptions to its news website, Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg News failed to clearly disclose the Bloomberg.com subscription terms, provide consumers with the subscription acknowledgment required by New York law, or notify subscribers before automatic renewal. As a result, some consumers found themselves paying significantly increased amounts for subscriptions that they weren’t aware they still had. Under the settlement with OAG, Bloomberg News must pay $500,000 in penalties, change its subscription practices, and offer restitution to subscribers who complained or who canceled their subscriptions after they were automatically renewed.

“Tricking consumers into costly subscriptions with misleading terms is illegal in New York,” said Attorney General James. “Bloomberg News failed to inform consumers that the price of their subscription would increase significantly during an automatic renewal and made people jump through hoops to cancel. My office took action to get New Yorkers their money back and ensure consumers will be fully informed of their subscription terms.”

New York law requires subscription terms to be clearly disclosed to customers, including the minimum term, the fact that the subscription renews, and the cancellation policy. Businesses must also obtain consent for automatic renewals, provide a post-purchase acknowledgment, and offer an easy cancellation mechanism.  

Subscriptions to Bloomberg.com vary widely in price and can increase dramatically after an initial promotional period. A first-time subscription can cost $1.99 for the first three months but then increase automatically to $39.99 per month. Similarly, a student annual subscription cost $99 but automatically increased to $415 after graduation, with no warning.

The OAG’s investigation found that Bloomberg News did not clearly disclose the Bloomberg.com subscription terms to its consumers. Bloomberg News failed to clearly notify consumers that Bloomberg.com subscriptions dramatically increased in price after the initial trial period and automatically renewed. Bloomberg News also did not provide consumers with an adequate post-purchase acknowledgment and did not give them sufficient notice prior to renewal. Bloomberg News failed to adequately inform customers about how to cancel their Bloomberg.com subscriptions, made it difficult to find cancellation information, and did not refund annual subscriptions despite promising customers during sign up that they could “cancel any time.” 

Since 2021, Bloomberg News’ website and chatbot presented consumers with a maze of questions and options, forcing some consumers to click through multiple pages before reaching an option to cancel their Bloomberg.com subscriptions. Customers could also cancel by email or phone, but Bloomberg News did not inform subscribers they could do so until 2023.

The high price of subscriptions meant that customers who were misled by Bloomberg.com’s terms were charged significant amounts of money. In some cases, annual student plans jumped over $300 after graduation, with no warning. Other annual subscribers saw increases of over $100 when their subscriptions automatically renewed. Customers also complained that they were unaware the $1.99 monthly Bloomberg.com subscription they signed up for would turn into a $34.99 monthly subscription after an initial introductory period.

Under the settlement with OAG, Bloomberg News must pay $500,000 in penalties and provide refunds to eligible subscribers in New York and nationwide. Eligible subscribers include those who filed complaints with Bloomberg News, the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, or OAG. Bloomberg News will also provide restitution to eligible consumers who canceled their subscriptions after they automatically renewed at a higher price. 

In addition to paying penalties to the state and providing refunds to consumers, Bloomberg News must improve its disclosures, obtain informed affirmative consent from subscribers, provide customers with acknowledgments that comply with the law and include cancellation and other information, and sufficiently notify consumers before their subscription renews.