WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • The Justice Department charged 18 additional foreign nationals with illegally voting in North Carolina or falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
  • Prosecutors allege some defendants voted repeatedly across multiple general and primary elections.
  • Thirty people have now been charged in North Carolina over illegal voter registration and voting, according to Trent McCotter.
  • False citizenship claims carry up to five years in prison, while illegal voting charges carry up to one year.

The Department of Justice has charged 18 additional foreign nationals with illegally voting in North Carolina, adding to a widening federal enforcement effort in the swing state. The charges involve alleged illegal voting, false claims of U.S. citizenship, or both.

“In our most recent elections in North Carolina — the 2025 municipal elections — there were 14 races decided by two votes; 15 races decided by one vote; and 7 races that were tied,” U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said. “Every vote matters. And the public must have confidence that our elections are conducted fairly and that every ballot cast is a lawful one.”

Elizabeth Margaret Crudup, 52, of Kenya, is accused of registering in 2008 and voting in nine general elections from 2008 through 2024. She is also accused of voting in nine primary elections, including contests in 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2026.

Gregory Eugene Wade, 64, of Bermuda, allegedly registered in 2000 and voted in 12 general elections between 2000 and 2024. He is also accused of voting in the 2002 and 2020 primary elections.

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Selvin Porfidio Gonzalez Escobar, 43, an illegal alien from Guatemala living in Robeson County, faces one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He allegedly registered in 2020 and voted in the 2020 and 2024 general elections.

Amerigo Di Nolfi, 53, a native of Italy and United Kingdom citizen living in Massachusetts, faces the same two counts. He allegedly registered in 2024 and voted that year in New Hanover County.

Jacqueline Yvonne Papandreou Brown, 63, a Singapore native and United Kingdom citizen residing in Duplin County, allegedly registered in 2020 and voted in 2024. Karl Anthony Wilkins, 62, a Jamaican native living in Georgia, allegedly voted in the 2020, 2022, and 2024 general elections and the 2020 Wake County primary.

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Patricia Elena Valencia Cardona, 56, a Colombian native residing in Harnett County, allegedly registered and voted in 2024. Richard John Reid, 62, a United Kingdom native living in New Hanover County, allegedly voted in four general elections and the 2008 and 2012 primaries after registering in 2002.

Taso Gretes, 58, a Greek native and Canadian citizen residing in New Hanover County, allegedly registered in 2022 and voted in the 2024 general election. Gretes faces counts of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and voting by an alien.

Adrianus Marinus Van Der Staak, a Netherlands national living in Seagrove, and Saida Adali Hirachete Olivarez, a Mexican national living in Reidsville, were each charged by indictment with making a false citizenship claim to vote and voting by an alien.

Juan Florencio Ramos, a Cuban citizen living in Salisbury, and Phillip Alexander Carter, a Barbados native living in Winston-Salem, face the same two indictment counts. Yamila Avalos, an Argentinian national living in Concord, was charged by information with one count of voting by an alien.

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Michael Agah, 74, a Nigerian national residing in Charlotte, allegedly claimed U.S. citizenship on an Authorization to Vote Form before voting on Nov. 5, 2024. He is charged with voting by an alien and making a false citizenship claim.

Luis Alberto DeJesus, 50, a Dominican national living in Conover, allegedly claimed citizenship on an Early Voting Application and voted on Oct. 30, 2024. Prosecutors allege he knew he was not a citizen and could not legally cast a ballot.

Serge Christian Dupont, 57, a French national living in Charlotte, allegedly claimed citizenship on an Authorization to Vote Form and voted on Nov. 5, 2024. Edread Ray Stanley, 63, a national of St. Kitts and Nevis residing in Charlotte, is charged with voting by an alien that same day.

Those charged with falsely claiming American citizenship face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Those charged with illegal voting face up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

“Illegal voting is just that: illegal,” Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said. McCotter said 30 people have now been charged in North Carolina with violating laws against illegal voter registration and voting.

“If you’re not an American citizen, you cannot vote in our federal elections,” McCotter said. “We need to preserve the integrity of the ballot box by ensuring only those eligible are casting ballots.”

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