Los Angeles, California: Twelve More People Charged in California Voting Cases

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles charged six more foreign nationals on Monday with lying on naturalization forms after registering to vote and voting in United States elections, and prosecutors in Sacramento charged six more people the same day with illegally voting in the 2024 presidential election. The complaints were announced one day before the November 3 midterm elections and are part of Operation Protect the Vote, the Justice Department effort against noncitizen voting in California. The operation's earlier California cases were among 48 charges the department announced in five states on October 26, 2026.

The Los Angeles cases

The six Los Angeles defendants live in the Antelope and San Fernando valleys: Sirgalahad Camua, 43, of Palmdale (Philippines); Krystel Capi Valle, 31, of Palmdale (Mexico); Moria Dahan, 35, of West Hills (Israel); Chad Goertz, 52, of Agua Dulce (Canada); Mahyar Nikzad, 35, of Canoga Park (Iran); and Gilberto Ruiz, 46, of Palmdale (Mexico). Each is charged with making false statements on a naturalization application, which carries up to five years in federal prison.

Five of the six, all but Ruiz, were arrested on Monday and were due that afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the cases.

Camua registered in August 2009 by claiming to be a citizen and voted by mail in May 2020, November 2024 and June 2026, prosecutors say, then denied under penalty of perjury in May 2025 ever claiming citizenship or registering to vote. Goertz registered in April 2018 and voted by mail in November 2022 and November 2024. Nikzad voted in the March 2024 primary and the November 2024 general election. Dahan is accused of voting in person on November 5, 2024, Capi Valle of voting by mail in November 2022, and Ruiz of voting by mail in three elections. Each later denied that voting history on a naturalization form, according to the complaints.

"We have now charged 34 defendants in Operation Protect the Vote, and every one of their names was on the list we provided to California officials," First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said. "Every illegal vote cast and counted cancels the legitimate vote of an American citizen."

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said at the same news conference that his office had filed three felony charges against John Ruel S. Ambos, 31, over alleged illegal registration and voting in the September 2021 gubernatorial recall election.

The Sacramento cases

In the Eastern District, prosecutors charged Lorie Jane Alcala, 44, of Hanford; Edith San Pedro Carter, 59, of Fresno; Maria Joao Bettencourt, 49, of Visalia; Rosa Bento Silva Anderson, 26, of Turlock; Janelyn Stewart, 38, of Vallejo; and Meryll Joy Quirong Costi, 36, of Sacramento. Each is charged with illegally voting in the November 5, 2024 presidential election. Costi is also charged over the November 8, 2022 midterms. The charge carries a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Alcala and Carter first appeared in court on October 30, 2026. Bettencourt and Anderson were due on Monday at 2 p.m. in Fresno, and Costi at 2 p.m. in Sacramento. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the cases.

"The right to vote is one of the most fundamental of those privileges, and its theft by noncitizens will be prosecuted," United States Attorney Grant said in Sacramento.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles said every defendant charged in the operation is a lawful permanent resident, and green card holders may not register or vote in United States elections. A criminal complaint contains allegations only, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.