GREENSBORO, N.C. – The sanctity of the ballot box is under fire in North Carolina, as federal authorities have unsealed indictments and informations against nineteen individuals accused of voter fraud and related crimes. The charges, announced by United States Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina, paint a picture of systematic attempts to illegally influence federal elections.
The core of the alleged scheme centers around non-citizens casting ballots in the 2016 and, in one case, the 2018 federal elections. Federal law is clear: only U.S. citizens are eligible to register and vote. Investigators say these defendants knowingly violated that law, potentially undermining the integrity of the democratic process. The feds aren’t playing around, and the penalties could be severe.
A federal grand jury handed down indictments on August 31, 2020, targeting seven individuals with the most serious charges. Francisco Antonio-Aguirre, 64, of Dobson, NC (1:20CR351); Roob Kaur Atar-Singh, 57, of Raeford, NC (1:20CR349); Rosalva Negrete-Toledo, aka Rosalva Cortes, 65, of Winston-Salem, NC (1:20CR342); Dave Delano Virgil, 57, of Winston-Salem, NC (1:20CR339); and Eloy Alberto Zayas-Berrier, 70, of Pelham, NC (1:20CR348) are all accused of violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 611(a) (voting by non-citizen), 911 (claim of U.S. citizenship by non-citizen), and 1015(f) (false statement in a voter registration application).
The charges escalate for Emmanuel Olakunle Atoyebi, 31, of Greensboro, NC (1:20CR347), who faces allegations including violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 611(a), 1425(a) (procure naturalization contrary to law), 1546(a) (false statement in an immigration document), 1015(a) (false statement in naturalization proceeding), and 1001(a)(2) (false statement to federal agent). Mokhtar Qaid Ahmed Gulaimid, 48, of Raeford, NC (1:20CR338) is facing an even broader range of charges, mirroring those leveled against Atoyebi. These aren’t simple voting violations; the government alleges a deliberate pattern of deception.
On August 13, 2020, twelve more individuals were charged via Information with the misdemeanor of violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 611(a) – illegal voting by a non-citizen. The list includes: Ismay Prudence Kathleen James, 54, of Burlington, NC (1:20CR317); Donald Christian Martyn, 44, of Durham, NC (1:20CR318); Chaim Pinto, 68, of Raeford, NC (1:20CR319); John Andrew Rapsky, 54, of Chapel Hill, NC (1:20CR320); Baijoo Pottakulath Thomas, 58, of Durham, NC (1:20CR321); Shuqin Yin, 54, of Landis, NC (1:20CR322); Chirong Yin Billings, aka Chirong Cummings, 56, of McLeansville, NC (1:20CR323); Henry Alberto Araya-Vega, 52, of Winston-Salem, NC (1:20CR324); Rufina Concho-Locklear, 82, of Greensboro, NC (1:20CR325); Alberto Damaize-Job, aka Alberto Damaize, 73, of Greensboro, NC (1:20CR326); Armando Nava-Juarez, aka Armando Nava, 51, of Linwood, NC (1:20CR327); and Manuel Efrain Valladares, 48, of Concord, NC (1:20CR328).
If convicted, the defendants face stiff penalties. A conviction under Title 18, United States Code, Section 611(a) carries a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.00. More serious charges, like those involving false statements and procuring unlawful naturalization, could result in sentences exceeding ten years and fines up to $250,000.00. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the feds have spoken, and this case is far from over.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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