An Ohio grand jury indicted six people for illegal voting in past elections.
A 36-year-old Kent man, Nicholas Fontaine, was one of six indicted, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Tuesday. Fontaine is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2016 and 2018, according to the Attorney General’s office.
“The right to vote is sacred,” Yost said in a statement. “If you’re not a U.S. citizen, it’s illegal to vote – whether you thought you were allowed to or not – you will be held accountable.”
Fontaine is scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m. on Dec. 2.
Other individuals charged include:
- Ramesh Patel, 68, of North Royalton. Patel lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
- Lorinda Miller, 78, of Hudson. Miller is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
- Ahmed Aden, 35, of Columbus. Aden is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2008 and 2020.
- Van Thuy Cooper, 53, of Hilliard. Cooper is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016 and 2020.
- Maria Dearaujo, 62, of Columbus. Dearaujo is a lawful resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016 and 2018.
All individuals face one count of illegal voting, a fourth-degree felony. A Lorain County jury declined to bring charges in an additional case concerning an Oberlin College student who allegedly voted in Ohio and Washington in 2018.
Despite the number of indictments, Yost said cases of illegal voting remain rare.
“We should all be confident in the upcoming election, knowing that the laws are being enforced and will continue to be enforced,” Yost said.
Alton Northup is news director. Contact him at [email protected].
