DOJ charges 18 in N.C. with voting illegally in U.S. elections

Justice Department officials said Thursday that they charged 18 noncitizens, including one illegally present in the United States, with voting in U.S. elections. Most of them voted illegally in the 2024 general election, but some of them voted in many more, according to the Justice Department. All but one were living in the United States as lawful permanent residents. The charges came after officials previously indicted 12 others on the same charges in North Carolina, the department said.

Recent elections in North Carolina depended on tiny margins, with 14 races in 2025 decided by 2 votes, according to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson. Every ballot cast mattered and needed to be lawful, he said.

Those charged with falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to vote would face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. Another charge, voting by an alien, was punishable by up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

What do we know about the defendants?

• Gregory Wade, a citizen of Bermuda and U.S. lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in 12 general elections from 2000 to 2024, as well as two primary elections.

• Elizabeth Crudup, a Kenyan citizen and lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in both general and primary elections from 2008 to 2024.

• Richard Reid, a British citizen and lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in four general elections in 2024, 2020, 2012, and 2008, as well as in two primaries.

• Selvin Gonzalez Escobar is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. He allegedly voted in the 2024 and 2020 general elections.

• Karl Wilkins, a Jamaican and lawful permanent resident, allegedly voted in the 2024, 2022, and 2020 general elections, as well as the 2020 primary.

• Amerigo Di Nolfi and Jacqueline Brown, both citizens of the United Kingdom; Patricia Cardona, a native of Colombia; Taso Gretes, a citizen of Canada; Michael Agah, a Nigerian national;, Luis DeJesus, of the Dominican Republic; Serge Dupont, a national of France; and Edread Stanley, a national of St. Kitts and Nevis allegedly voted illegally in the 2024 general election.

• Adrianus Van Der Staak, a Netherlands national; Juan Florencio Ramos, a Cuban citizen; Phillip Carter, a native of Barbados; Saida Olivarez, a Mexican national; and Yamila Avalos, an Argentinian national are also accused of voting in unspecified U.S. elections.

Dig deeper: Read my report on similar charges against 10 in Minnesota.