By Fatma Younis
A federal grand jury in Santa Ana has indicted 10 lawful permanent residents for allegedly registering to vote and casting ballots illegally in California, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California announced Thursday.
Charges part of 'Operation Protect the Vote'
The indictments are part of "Operation Protect the Vote," an ongoing federal effort to investigate alleged election fraud in the state. All 10 defendants are green card holders who are not eligible to vote in U.S. elections. They face charges of making false statements on naturalization applications by denying prior claims of U.S. citizenship or voter registration.
Defendants accused of repeated illegal voting
Prosecutors detailed each defendant's alleged voting history. Omar Alexander Muñoz, 72, a Belizean national from Commerce, allegedly registered in 2019 and voted in the 2020, 2022, and 2024 general elections. Muhammad Khan, 50, a Pakistani national from Anaheim, allegedly cast a provisional ballot in 2020. Ana Domínguez, 60, a Salvadoran national from Long Beach, allegedly registered in 2006. José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national from West Adams, allegedly registered in 2007. Jesús Narez-Madrigal, 52, a Mexican national from Carson, allegedly registered in 2014 and voted in 2024. Carlos Antonio Galeas, 54, a Honduran national from West Covina, allegedly registered in 2012 and 2016. Flavio Alejandro Zúñiga, 43, a Mexican national from La Puente, allegedly registered in 2003. Amandeep Kaur, 30, an Indian national from Rancho Palos Verdes, allegedly registered in 2022 and voted in 2024. Axel Giovani Prera García, 46, a Guatemalan national from Pico Rivera, allegedly registered in 2002 and 2005. The 10th defendant, Ernesto Gutiérrez Ruvalcaba, 57, a Mexican national from Wilmington, allegedly registered in February 2024 and voted the following month.
Arraignments scheduled, two defendants remain fugitives
Arraignments for eight defendants are scheduled for Nov. 16 and 17, while Amandeep Kaur's arraignment is set for Nov. 20. Prera García and Gutiérrez Ruvalcaba are listed as fugitives. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of five years in federal prison.
Attorney General vows crackdown on voter fraud
Attorney General Todd Blanche has pledged to pursue voter fraud cases, aligning with President Donald Trump's repeated claims of widespread election fraud. The U.S. Attorney's Office said the defendants previously faced federal criminal complaints before the grand jury returned indictments.
