LAS VEGAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Nevada), published as received.

LAS VEGAS – An Argentine national was charged today for illegally voting in the 2024 general election in Clark County, Nevada. 

“As this additional case demonstrates, there is a catastrophic failure to protect the ballot box,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Every single illegal vote directly questions the very security of our elections and compromises public trust in our democratic processes. Our will enforce a zero-tolerance policy, and every single 611 case will be prosecuted to the absolute fullest extent of the law. We will aggressively hunt down and dismantle any attempts to compromise this election, and we will ensure that the voice of every lawful American citizen is completely protected from being diluted, neutralized, or stolen by illegal votes.”

“Federal election laws are clear, and efforts to circumvent them will be investigated,” said Erin Burke, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Los Angeles. “HSI and our FBI partners will continue to identify and investigate alleged violations of federal election law, protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those accused of criminal conduct are held accountable through the judicial process.” 

According to the criminal information, on or about November 5, 2024, Mariela Delia Mendoza, an Argentine national and a lawful permanent resident of the United States living in Las Vegas, illegally 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. She was not a United States citizen.

Mendoza is charged with one count of voting by an alien. The maximum statutory penalty is one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $100,000, or both. An initial appearance date has not yet been scheduled. 

The FBI and HSI investigated this case.

In addition to Mendoza, this month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged four individuals for illegally voting, bringing the total in Nevada to five federally charged for illegal voting. These charges reflect the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting the integrity of federal elections and ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens participate in them.

  • Jullie Ann Sumalinog Moore, from the Philippines and a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien for allegedly illegally voting in the 2024 General Election.
  • Moneir Elzobier Ali Yousif, from Sudan and a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien for allegedly illegally voting in the 2024 General Election.
  • Khalida Safi, from Afghanistan and a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien for allegedly illegally voting the 2024 General Election.
  • Mlebinge Riziki Ramadhani, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien for allegedly illegally voted in the 2022 General Election. 

An information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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