Three Non-Citizens in Florida Plead Guilty to Knowingly Voting in Federal Elections, Highlighting Ongoing Election Integrity Challenges

Three non-U.S. citizens in South Florida have pleaded guilty in separate federal cases to illegally voting in federal elections and related offenses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The cases underscore federal prohibitions on non-citizen participation in national elections and come amid heightened scrutiny of voter eligibility under the current administration.

Federal law requires U.S. citizenship to register and vote in federal elections. The defendants knowingly violated that rule despite their ineligible status.

Moises Lima Junior, a Brazilian national who became a lawful permanent resident in January 2024, registered to vote in Florida on February 18, 2024, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. He then cast a ballot in the federal election on October 21, 2024, despite knowing he was ineligible. Lima Junior pleaded guilty on February 12, 2026, to making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and to voting by an alien. He was sentenced on May 27, 2026.

Gordon Louis, a Haitian national and convicted felon, knowingly voted in the November 2020 general election for federal offices, including President, Vice President, and a member of the House of Representatives. He admitted knowing at the time that he was not a U.S. citizen. Louis pleaded guilty to voting by an alien and was sentenced on April 15, 2026.

Roberto Figueredo, a Cuban national whose lawful permanent resident status had been revoked and who faced a removal order, submitted a Florida voter registration application on January 29, 2020. He falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and affirmed his eligibility to vote, even though he was a convicted felon whose voting rights had not been restored. Figueredo cast a ballot in the federal election on October 1, 2020. He pleaded guilty on September 30, 2025, to casting a false ballot and voting by an alien. He was sentenced on February 4, 2026.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated: “Voting in federal elections is one of the most important rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. Federal law is clear: only United States citizens may vote in federal elections. These defendants admitted that they knowingly violated that law. The Southern District of Florida is committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and ensuring that those who undermine public confidence in the electoral process are held accountable.”

The cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) offices in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with assistance from the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. They were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Killoran and Timothy Farina.

These prosecutions reflect a broader federal effort to safeguard election integrity by pursuing ineligible voters who knowingly participate in federal contests. While some localities permit non-citizen voting in purely local matters, federal elections remain restricted to citizens under longstanding law. The guilty pleas demonstrate that individuals with knowledge of their ineligibility can still register and vote, often by making false statements on registration forms.

The Department of Justice has emphasized accountability in such matters, noting that violations erode public trust in the electoral process. As enforcement actions continue, these Florida cases illustrate the tangible consequences for those who disregard citizenship requirements in national elections. Court records for the cases are available through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.