Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Bay Point drug trafficker sentenced to six years in prison

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By William Elwood, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Carson Fries was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison for drug trafficking.  U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. handed down the sentence.

Fries, 34, of Bay Point, California, was charged by Criminal Complaint on September 22, 2025, and charged by Information on May 12, 2026.  Fries pleaded guilty on July 29, 2026, to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii)).  Fries was a significant drug supplier in Contra Costa County.  According to the plea agreement, Fries admitted to selling large quantities of meth on at least three instances between August 29, 2025, and September 9, 2025, in Bay Point.  On August 29, 2025, he sold approximately 478 gross grams of methamphetamine.  On September 3, 2025, Fries sold approximately 518 gross grams of methamphetamine.  And on September 9, 2025, Fries sold approximately 506 gross grams of methamphetamine.  Additionally, 160 grams of methamphetamine and 33 firearms and a stockpile of ammunition were found at Fries’ residence during a search conducted pursuant to a search warrant.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement.  In addition to the prison term, Judge Gilliam also sentenced the defendant to four years of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ivana Djak is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessie Chelsea and Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA and the Concord Police Department.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 200-pound Fries is White and was previously arrested Jan. 11, 2014 by CHP – Contra Costa for evading a police officer.

Further Information:

Case No. 26-CR-231

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Another Dublin Federal Correction Institution officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing female inmates

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Sign at the former FCI Dublin women’s prison. Photo courtesy of Jesstess87.

10th at now closed FCI Dublin to plead guilty or be convicted to date

By William Elwood, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officer David Perez pleaded guilty Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, to sexually abusing two female inmates at the Federal Correction Institution (FCI) in Dublin, Calif., a low- and minimum-security federal prison for females.  Perez also admitted to making false statements to federal investigators.

Perez was charged by Information on September 16, 2026.  He is the tenth correctional officer to have either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial as part of an ongoing federal investigation into sexual abuse of inmates at FCI Dublin.

According to the plea agreement, Perez was employed at BOP from September 1994 to August 2019.  From approximately October 2014 until August 2019, Perez served as a Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) at FCI Dublin.  In that role, he was responsible for adjudicating disciplinary actions against inmates who allegedly engaged in misconduct while in prison and issuing punishment if he found them guilty.

Between 2014 and 2015, Perez served as the DHO for four disciplinary hearings for a female inmate.  Each time, he found her guilty and assessed various sanctions, which sometimes included time in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) and loss of good time. Between August 2015 and September 2016, Perez repeatedly met with that inmate alone in a room in the Captain’s Complex.  During several of those meetings, Perez kissed the inmate and touched her breasts over and under her clothing.

In July 2016, Perez served as the DHO for another female inmate.  He found her guilty and sentenced her to a little over two weeks in the SHU, among other things.  After her release from the SHU, Perez began calling her to meet with him alone in the Captain’s Complex.  During those meetings, Perez complimented her looks, asked her to show him her breasts, and on one occasion told her that he had the power to add or subtract time from her sentence.  On two occasions when he was alone with this inmate, Perez kissed her and grabbed her breasts and buttocks.  On another occasion, Perez digitally penetrated the inmate’s vulva.

On October 8, 2024, Perez spoke with special agents with the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  During that interview, Perez falsely stated that the only time he had ever touched any female inmate was when he escorted them to and from discipline hearings.

Perez was released on bond.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 25, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

Perez faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the count of sexual abuse of a ward in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b), two years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of abusive sexual contact in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4), and eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of false statements to a government agency in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2).  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Scandal Investigation Leads to Prison’s Closure

The investigation of the sexual misconduct scandal led to the facility’s closure.

According to a website about federal women’s prisons, the facility has been “closed since April 2024. It no longer houses anyone and is not a current federal designation.” It was a “low-security women’s FCI with an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp.”

“In January 2024, a 60 Minutes report and FBI activity at the prison brought a new wave of scrutiny. In a class-action lawsuit brought by women held at Dublin, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers moved in March 2024 to appoint a special master to oversee conditions at the prison. Legal advocates described it as the first time a special master had been ordered over a federal prison. Within weeks, on April 15, 2024, the Bureau of Prisons announced it was closing FCI Dublin.”

FCI Dublin Investigation

As part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin, 11 FCI Dublin correctional officers have been charged with crimes related to the sexual abuse of the female prisoners at the facility.  The status of these cases is below:

Defendant Case Number Status
Warden Ray J. Garcia 4:21-cr-00429-YGR Convicted on all counts by jury on Dec. 8, 2022; sentenced to 70 months in prison
CO John Bellhouse 4:22-cr-00066-YGR Convicted on all counts by jury on Jun. 5, 2023; sentenced to 63 months in prison
CO Darrell Smith (a/k/a “Dirty Dick Smith”) 4:23-cr-00110-YGR Indicted on Apr. 13, 2023; charges dismissed on Dec. 22, 2025, following two hung juries
Chaplain James Highhouse 4:22-cr-00016-HSG Pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2022; sentenced to 84 months in prison
CO Ross Klinger 4:22-cr-00031-YGR Pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2022; sentenced to one year of home confinement
CO Enrique Chavez 4:22-cr-00104-YGR Pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2022; sentenced to 20 months in prison
CO Andrew Jones 4:23-cr-00212-YGR Pleaded guilty on Aug.17, 2023; sentenced to 96 months in prison
CO Nakie Nunley 4:23-cr-00213-YGR Pleaded guilty on Sept. 5, 2023; sentenced to 72 months in prison
CO Jeffrey Wilson 4:25-cr-00180-YGR Pleaded guilty on Aug. 7, 2025; sentenced to 52 months in prison
CO Lawrence Gacad 4:25-cr-00181-YGR Pleaded guilty on Aug. 7, 2025; sentenced to one year of home confinement
DHO David Perez 4:26-cr-00464-YGR Pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2026; sentencing scheduled for March 25, 2027

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Paulson, Sailaja Paidipaty, and Molly Priedeman are prosecuting these cases with the assistance of Amala James, Analisse Iniguez, and Aryan Sawant.  The prosecutions are the result of an investigation by the DOJ OIG and the FBI.

Case No. 4:26-CR-00464-YGR

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

18-year-old from San Pablo arrested for murder of man found dead in his car

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Held on $2 million bail

Police ID victim

By James Laughter, PIO, San Pablo Police Department

San Pablo, CA – As previously reported, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, San Pablo Police Detectives began investigating the homicide of 33-year-old San Pablo resident Luis “Luigi” Ramirez in the 1600 block of 16th Street. After receiving an outpouring of cooperation, support, and information from the community and, utilizing the City’s comprehensive network of public safety technology, SPPD Detectives identified Jose Jesus Cornelio-Aguirre (18-years old, San Pablo, born 12/24/2007) as the individual believed to be responsible for the homicide. Within 48 hours of the initial investigation, Cornelio-Aguirre was located in the 1400 block of North Victoria Court in San Pablo, and subsequently taken into custody in the evening of Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Based on the preliminary investigation, Detectives believe the victim and suspect were known acquaintances, and that the victim was shot during the early-morning hours on Sunday, October 25th following an altercation with the suspect. At this time, further details of the relationship between the victim and suspect, or cause of the altercation, are still under investigation.

Following his arrest, Cornelio-Aguirre was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility (Contra Costa County) on one charge of PC 187(A) – Murder, pending filing of formal charge(s) in collaboration with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

This investigation remains active and ongoing; anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department Investigations Division at (510) 215-3150.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 180-pound Cornelia-Aguirre whose race is not listed but also, listed  as unknown, is being held on $2 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 13th at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court Department 5 in Martinez.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two men acting as agents of China sentenced to 30 months in prison

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Defendants facilitated secret cash payments using Livermore drop box targeting U.S. military personnel for China’s Ministry of State Security

The FBI San Francisco Field Office was assisted by FBI’s Portland, Houston and San Diego Field Offices, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service

By William Elwood, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Two nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) were sentenced today to federal prison for conspiring to act as agents of the PRC government and acting as agents of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General.  Liren “Ryan” Lai, 40, and Yuance Chen, 39, were each sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar.  The defendants agreed to operate under the direction and control of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), carrying out clandestine intelligence activities in the United States that included facilitating secret “dead drop” cash payments in exchange for information related to the national security of the United States, gathering information about U.S. military personnel and installations, and assisting efforts to recruit potential intelligence assets from within the U.S. military.

“These defendants were directed by a foreign intelligence service to gather information about the U.S. military in the hopes of undermining our national security.  This office and our federal law enforcement partners stand watch day and night to prevent our adversaries from doing just that, and we will continue to do so,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “There are many nations around the world that wish this country ill.  And today’s sentences should demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable anyone who poses a similar threat to our nation.”

According to court documents, Lai and Chen began acting as agents of the MSS no later than May 2021.  The MSS is the PRC’s principal civilian intelligence service, responsible for conducting foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations.  Lai recruited Chen into the scheme and initially served as an intermediary between Chen and MSS intelligence officers.  Chen subsequently received assignments directly from MSS officers.

As detailed in the government’s sentencing memorandum, Lai and Chen facilitated a clandestine cash payment of approximately $10,000 in January 2022.  While the defendants were in the PRC, they coordinated with individuals in the United States to leave a backpack containing the cash in a locker at a recreational facility in Livermore, California.  Such arrangements, known as “dead drops,” allow intelligence operatives to transfer money or information without directly meeting the intended recipient.

The defendants’ illegal activities extended beyond facilitating covert payments on behalf of the MSS.  Beginning in 2022, Chen gathered information about U.S. military installations and personnel at the direction of Lai and MSS intelligence officers.  These activities included obtaining photographs of Navy Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, and photographs and videos of military recruits and active-duty sailors inside a Navy recruiting station in Southern California.  Chen also collected personal identifying information about a U.S. Navy employee and maintained detailed biographical information about military personnel who were potential intelligence targets.

In March 2023, Lai traveled to the U.S. and delivered a cell phone to Chen for covert communications with the MSS referred to by Chen as a “state secret.”  Chen later traveled to China in 2024 and 2025, where he met with MSS officers and received additional assignments concerning U.S. service members.

In April 2025, Lai again traveled from China to the U.S. to carry out assignments for the MSS.  The following month, the MSS directed him to travel to Phoenix to facilitate another clandestine cash payment of approximately $20,000 in furtherance of its intelligence operations.

Lai and Chen were arrested on June 27, 2025, during a coordinated Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) counterintelligence and law enforcement operation.  A federal grand jury in the Northern District of California returned an indictment on July 1, 2025, charging both defendants with conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and act as agents of a foreign government without prior notification, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 951.

Lai pleaded guilty to both offenses on December 12, 2025.  Chen pleaded guilty to both offenses on February 20, 2026.

The FBI San Francisco Field Office led the investigation, with assistance from the FBI’s Portland, Houston and San Diego Field Offices, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The National Security, Cyber & Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section handled the prosecution of the case.  Significant operational support and assistance was also provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Oregon, the Southern District of Texas, and the Southern District of California.

Case No. 4:25-cr-00186-JST

September Pleasant Hill Police stats show 3.6% increase in crime over last year

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Source: Pleasant Hill PD

Including burglaries, robberies and larcenies

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

Hey there Pleasant Hill! We’re back with a snapshot of our monthly crime stats, giving you a look at some of the police activity that took place in our city in September 2026.

Officers made 48 arrests, of which 47 were adults and one was a juvenile, and they consisted of 16 felonies and 32 misdemeanors. There were 117 citations issued of which 66 percent were hazardous. Pleasant Hill experienced five injury accidents, 13 non-injury accidents, five handicap violations and seven drunk driving incidents.

Source: Pleasant Hill PD

Overall crime increased by 3.6 percent over this time last year, with increases in the following categories showing totals for the month: five residential burglaries, one business burglary, five robberies and 86 larcenies, which include shoplifting, theft from a car, bike theft, purse snatch, etc. There were five auto thefts which saw a decrease and there was also one aggravated assault during September.

The Department received 2,118 calls for service and bringing the total to 20,491 incidents or calls for service in 2026.

We’ll continue sharing this information monthly on our social media platforms, but for a more extensive look at our crime stats, please visit our website: www.phillca.gov/1384/Crime-Statistics.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord man charged with murdering wife while out on custody for May domestic violence arrest

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Thomas Iovenetti in photos posted on Facebook on June 13, 2021 (top) (redacted by the Herald) and May 28, 2017 (bottom).

After judge set his bail at just $1,000

Faces maximum of 29 years to life in prison

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California — Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint charging 40-year-old Thomas John Iovenitti with the murder of his wife, Alisha Iovenitti, on October 23, 2026, in the City of Concord.

The complaint alleges that Iovenitti personally used a knife in the killing. At the time of the alleged homicide, he was out of custody on bail in a pending domestic violence case. That case (No. 01-26-02665) arose from an incident on May 9, 2026, and Iovenitti was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, corporal injury to a spouse, and false imprisonment.  (See 01-26-02665 – Charging Document 051326)

On May 19th, over the objection of the District Attorney’s Office, a judge set Iovenitti’s bail at $1,000. The court also issued stay-away orders barring him from contacting his wife or returning to the family’s residence.

In addition to the murder charge, the new complaint filed today charges Iovenitti with three other felonies: dissuading a witness from reporting a crime on October 23rd, and assault with a deadly weapon (a knife) and corporal injury to a spouse, related to an earlier incident on May 9th. (See related article)

The complaint also includes five misdemeanor counts, including a violation of a court order and four counts of child endangerment. Three of the child endangerment counts relate to October 23rd, and one relates to the May 9th incident.

According to the 01-26-05187 – Charging Document 102726, the couple’s children included a son age 10 and twin boy and girl age 8.

Iovenitti is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 pm today, October 28th in Department 6 at the Contra Costa County Superior Court Annex in Martinez. He remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility without bail. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 29 years to life in prison.

According to Mylife.com, Iovenitti was living in Pleasant Hill, previously lived in Antioch and has also been known as Tommy. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has 17 years of experience in the produce department with the current position of Produce FM overseeing “district 10 produce operations and merchandising for Safeway.” However, according to his profile on Bold.pro, Iovenitti has worked for Safeway since 2002 and as the Produce Assistant Sales Manager since August 2017.

Case No. 01-26-05187 | The People of the State of California v. Thomas John Iovenitti

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

40-year-old Concord man arrested for stabbing wife to death

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Also arrested in May for assaulting and injuring spouse or cohabitant, more

By Concord Police Department

On Friday, October 23, at about 8:51 p.m., Concord Police Dispatch received a 911 call from a house in the 2300 block of Panoramic Drive in Concord. The caller reported a disturbance between a man and a woman. The man was reported to be armed with a knife. Officers were immediately dispatched and contacted several witnesses.

When the officers attempted to contact occupants of the house, no one responded, and the officers forced entry into the home. Inside the home, a man and woman were found injured with apparent stab wounds. Officers provided immediate medical aid prior to the arrival of Fire/Paramedics. Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman died at the scene. The man was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and is currently listed in critical condition.

Due to the nature of this incident, detectives from the Concord Police Department – Investigations Division were called to assume the investigation. Investigative follow-up and interviews were conducted. Based on preliminary witness information, there are no outstanding suspects and no ongoing threat to public safety.

On Tuesday morning, Oct. 27th the case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations. The District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges with additional enhancements against Thomas John Iovenitti (40-year-old Concord male, born 2/27/1986) for the murder of his wife, later identified by the DA’s Office as Alisha Iovenitti:

PC 187(a) – Murder

PC 136.1(b)(1) – Dissuading a Victim or Witness from Reporting a Crime

PC 166(a)(4) – Willful Disobedience of a Court Order

PC 273a(b) x 4 – Child Endangerment

PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon

PC 273.5(a) – Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant (Domestic Violence)

Iovenitti remains in custody and is being held on no bail.

If you have any information that may be relevant for this investigation, please contact Detective Justin Wilson at (925) 603-5859 or the anonymous tip line at (925) 603-5836.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 210-pound Iovenetti is Hispanic but also described as White, and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 1:35 p.m. in Superior Court Dept. 5 in Martinez.

According to localcrimenewscom, he was previously arrested on May 9th for false imprisonment by violence, assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and cruelty to a child by inflicting injury. Iovenetti was also arrested the day before for use or being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Homicide investigation of 33-year-old San Pablo man found dead inside car

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By James Laughter, PIO, San Pablo Police Department

San Pablo, CA – On Sunday, October 25, 2026, at approximately 2:27 p.m., San Pablo Police Department officers responded to the 1600 block of 16th Street following a report of a male subject who was possibly deceased inside a parked vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers located a 33-year-old San Pablo resident inside a red Toyota. The male was unresponsive and had apparent injuries. Officers and Con Fire medical personnel rendered medical aid; however, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

San Pablo Police Department detectives responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation The incident is being investigated as a homicide, and the investigation remains active. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notifications of next of kin. The suspects(s) have not been apprehended, and no additional information is available for release at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department at (510) 215-3150.

Oakland man convicted of trafficking 16-year-old girl in Richmond

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Faces up to 13 years in prison

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – On October 15, 2026, a jury in Contra Costa County found 41-year-old Jamarr Lamont Victor, of Oakland, CA, guilty of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act and four related felonies for exploiting a 16-year-old girl in Richmond.

Victor was convicted of:

  • Human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act [Penal Code 236.1(c)(1)]
  • Pimping a minor 16 years of age or older [Penal Code 266h(b)(1)]
  • Pandering a minor over the age of 16 [Penal Code 266i(b)(1)]
  • Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor [Penal Code 261.5(c)]
  • Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon [Penal Code 29800(a)(1)]

On February 21st, 2026, Jane Doe called 911 in Richmond to report that Victor, whom she had just met, put her to work in Richmond’s 23rd Street corridor. When Richmond Police officers responded to the emergency call, Jane Doe pointed out that she was doing sex work and her pimp as around the corner at a restaurant. The victim also noted that Victor was frightening her with talk of wanting to do unusual sexual acts with her.

The police investigation showed that Victor picked up the girl in Oakland earlier that day. That same day, he drove her to Richmond, ordered her to complete a set number of commercial sex transactions that night. Victor gave her a price list and took the money she earned that night.

District Attorney Diana Becton said: “We thank the jury for their work in holding the defendant accountable in these difficult cases. Traffickers often target children for sex work because they think no one will listen to minors when they report harm. This verdict shows that our office, our law enforcement partners, and our community are and were listening.”

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Murad prosecuted the case. The Richmond Police Department led the investigation.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes presided over the trial. She will sentence Victor on Thursday, November 6th, 2026, at 1:30 pm at the A.F. Bray Courts Building in Martinez.

At sentencing, Judge Holmes will also rule on the aggravating circumstances alleged by the prosecution. These include that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that the crime showed planning and sophistication. Victor faces up to 13 years in state prison.

To protect the victim’s privacy, the District Attorney’s Office will not release additional information about Jane Doe.

Anyone who is a victim of human trafficking, or who suspects someone is being trafficked, can get confidential help:

  • Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Hotline: 925-957-8658
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP to 233733

Survivors can also contact the District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Program for help with the legal process and victim compensation, in Martinez at 925-957-8650 or in Richmond at 510-374-3272.

The District Attorney’s Office runs the Human Trafficking Task Force in partnership with the FBI, local police and community groups. More information and a full list of community resources are available on the Human Trafficking Unit website.

Case No. 02-26-00432 | The People of the State of California v. Jamarr Lamont Victor

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 150-pound Victor was born July 3, 1985, is listed as non-Hispanic but also as Black, he’s being held in the West County Detention Facility and his bail was set at $360,000.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

11 foreign nationals arrested in California on federal charges alleging they Illegally registered and voted in U.S. elections

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28 charged in statewide Operation Protect the Vote, five in Bay Area

By Ciaran McEvoy, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California

LOS ANGELES – Federal law enforcement throughout California today arrested 11 foreign nationals living in the United States who are charged in criminal complaints with federal crimes, including that they fraudulently registered to vote in U.S. elections, electoral contests in which most of them cast illegal and fraudulently obtained ballots.

A total of 28 people were charged statewide, 21 actually voted in elections and 11 were arrested today. Law enforcement is seeking the other individuals or have been summoned.

Today’s arrests are part of “Operation Protect the Vote” – a coordinated effort among all four California-based United States Attorney’s Offices to combat and root out fraud in U.S. elections and protect electoral integrity.

Source: republicanpollworkers.com

All 28 foreign nationals charged are lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or “green card” holders. Although LPRs have legal immigration status in the United States, they are not U.S. citizens and are not permitted to vote in U.S. elections.

The criminal charges include making false statements in a naturalization application and some of the defendants also are charged with fraudulent voter registration. Both charges are felonies that carry a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

The defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in U.S. District Court. No pleas will be taken today.

On October 13, the federal government provided a list of these individuals to California to ensure that their vote-by-mail ballots were set aside until these individuals’ citizenship status could be confirmed. California declined to assist the federal government in setting aside their ballots, prompting a lawsuit by the United States that seeks a court order to prevent the unlawful dilution of American citizens’ votes and to uphold the integrity of our elections.

“Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a lawful American citizen,” said Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter. “Each of the 28 defendants charged today appears on the list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants we provided to California election officials last week. California refused to look at that list. Today’s charges show exactly what that refusal puts at risk. California must verify the citizenship of those more than 20,000 registrants before mail-in ballots are counted.”

“Today’s arrests prove what we have been saying,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “California is mailing ballots to noncitizens, and they are refusing to comply with federal law, which makes it a crime for noncitizens to vote. The voting rights of American citizens must be protected.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to protecting the integrity of our nation’s electoral process by investigating allegations of criminal conduct that undermine public confidence in our elections,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who knowingly violate federal law, while ensuring that every investigation is conducted fairly, thoroughly, and consistent with due process.”

According to court documents, the defendants knowingly and willfully lied under oath in their voter registration applications that they were U.S. citizens to be permitted to vote in California. Their fraudulent voter registration applications were approved, and, in many cases, the defendants illegally voted in recent U.S. elections. They subsequently lied in their paperwork to become naturalized U.S. citizens that they had never claimed U.S. citizenship, nor had they registered to vote or voted in U.S. elections.

Broken down by jurisdiction, the following defendants are charged in today’s takedown:

Central District of California

All the following defendants below in this jurisdiction face felony charges, including false statements in a naturalization application:

  • Omar Alexander Muñoz, 72, a Belizean national living in Commerce, fraudulently registered to vote in September 2019, claiming his was a U.S. citizen, then voted in U.S. elections in 2020, twice in 2022, and in 2024. He also lied on his application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen when he falsely stated under oath to have never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
  • Amandeep Kaur, 30, an Indian national living in Rancho Palos Verdes and who is seeking to become a U.S. citizen, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2022 and voted in the November 2024 U.S. election.
  • Ana Domínguez, 60, a Salvadoran national living in Long Beach, fraudulently registered to vote in July 2006 and lied in her naturalization paperwork in March 2026.
  • Axel Giovani Prera García, 46, a Guatemalan national and Pico Rivera resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2002 and 2005, and lied in his naturalization paperwork in June 2025.
  • Flavio Alejandro Zúñiga, 43, a Mexico national and La Puente resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2003 and lied in his naturalization paperwork in February 2026.
  • Butleng Taing, 43, a Cambodian national living in Long Beach, fraudulently registered to vote in July 2021, voted in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections, and lied on his naturalization paperwork in August 2025.
  • Carlos Antonio Galeas, 54, a Honduran national and West Covina resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2012 and 2016, then lied in his naturalization paperwork in September 2018.
  • Ernest Gutiérrez Ruvalcaba, 57, a Mexican national living in Wilmington, fraudulently registered to vote in February 2024 and voted one month later.
  • Jesús Narez-Madrigal, 52, a Mexican national living in Carson, fraudulently registered to vote in 2014, voted in the 2024 U.S. general election, and lied in his naturalization paperwork in June 2024.
  • José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national and West Adams resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2007 and lied on his naturalization paperwork in March 2025.
  • Muhammad Khan, 50, a Pakistani national and Anaheim resident, submitted a provisional ballot in 2020 and lied on his naturalization paperwork five years later.
  • Rouzbeh Seyamaknejad, 63, a Canadian national and Rancho Palos Verdes resident, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2018, lied in his naturalization application in January 2024, and voted in the November 2024 U.S. election.
  • Sulema de León, 35, a Mexican national and Long Beach resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2013, lied on her naturalization application in 2019, and voted in the November 2020 U.S. general election.

Eastern District of California

The following defendants are charged with voting by an alien in a federal election, a misdemeanor that carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison:

  • Maricela Nazarín González, 43, a Mexican national living in Clovis, registered to vote in 2020, indicating that she was a U.S. citizen, and voted in elections in 2022, twice in 2024, and 2025.
  • Rony de Jesús Sicaja, 38, a Guatemalan national living in Fresno, fraudulently registered to vote in 2017, and voted in the June 2022 primary election and the November 2024 general election in the United States.
  • Camino Giles Jiménez, 51, a Mexican national living in Kerman, knowingly voted in three U.S. elections despite knowing he is a noncitizen, the most recent election being the June 2026 primary.
  • Juan Antonio Rivas García, 46, a Mexican national and Sacramento resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2018 and 2020, both times falsely asserting under oath that he was a U.S. citizen. Rivas voted in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections.
  • Giezell Viduya Adawag, 41, a Philippines national and Vacaville resident, fraudulently registered to vote the day of the November 2024 general election, falsely certified that she was a U.S. citizen, and voted in the election that day.
  • Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, an Indian national living in Sacramento, fraudulently registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 general election and voted that day. He is charged via information.

Northern District of California

The following defendants are charged with attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law, false statement under oath in any matter relating to naturalization or citizenship, and voting by an alien:

  • Verónica Bullene, 43, a.k.a. “Verónica Hernández Martínez,” a Mexican national living in Petaluma, made false statements on her naturalization application that she had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen when, in fact, she did so under penalty of perjury to register to vote in 2022 and 2023 then voted in 2024.
  • David Shapiro, 41, a Georgian national living in San Jose, fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and later voted in a U.S. election, and made false statements on his naturalization application that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
  • Moe Thida Lwin, 57, a Myanmar national and Daly City resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and then proceeded to illegally vote in a U.S. citizen. She made false statements on her naturalization paperwork as well.
  • Manakotau Mataele Finau, 61, a Tongan national and Hayward resident, fraudulently registered to vote in the 2024 election then vote, then lied about it in naturalization paperwork.
  • Maribel del Carmen Garcés Barriga, 62, an Ecuadoran national and San Francisco resident, made false statements in her naturalization paperwork that she never claimed U.S. citizenship and had never voted in a U.S. election or had registered to vote. In fact, Garcés fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and proceeded to vote in a U.S. election.

Southern District of California

The following defendants are charged with false claim to citizenship to vote, unlawful attempted procurement of naturalization, and false statement under oath in matter relating to naturalization or citizenship:

  • José Probitsado Amaro, 51, a citizen of the Philippines living in National City, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements during his naturalization interview, denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting his voting history.
  • Jennifer Jung, 31, a Canadian national living in San Diego, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. She then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements during her naturalization interview, denying that she had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting her voting history.
  • Erick Ronaldo Soto Mendizábal, 64, a citizen of Guatemala and former Oceanside resident now living in Moreno Valley, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements in his naturalization application, denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting his voting history.
  • Pamele Arbués Line, 56, a citizen of the Philippines living in Escondido, registered to vote, cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election, and made false statements in her naturalization interview, denying that she had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting her voting history.

Criminal complaints and informations merely contain allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating these matters in the Central District of California. HSI and the FBI are investigating these matters in the Eastern and Northern Districts of California. HSI, the FBI, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are investigating the matters in the Southern District of California.

Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Wheat and Minjae Kim of the Orange County Office are prosecuting the Central District of California cases. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Khasigian and Joshua Banister are prosecuting the Eastern District of California cases. Special Assistant United States Attorney Roger Dinh is prosecuting the Northern District of California cases.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.