Liberia: Three Liberians Among 10 Indicted in U.S. for Alleged Voter Fraud in Minnesota

What the report says

Three Liberians living in Minnesota are among 10 noncitizens indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury in a voter-fraud case, according to a report by The Liberian Investigator carried by AllAfrica. The case centers on allegations that defendants falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to register or vote in Minnesota, with prosecutors saying the conduct took place around the Nov. 5, 2024 U.S. presidential election and, for one defendant, during voter registration in October 2024.

U.S. authorities identified the three Liberians as Bhator Konah Bryant, 61; Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48; and Chis Adam Pettiquoi, 43. The report says Kargbo and Pettiquoi each face two counts: making a false claim of citizenship to vote and voting by an alien. Bryant is accused of falsely claiming citizenship when registering to vote, but not of casting a ballot. The charges were announced after separate indictments filed Sept. 24 and a U.S. government release dated Oct. 2.

The published account says the false-citizenship charge carries a possible five-year prison term, while voting by an alien is a misdemeanor with a shorter maximum sentence and fines. U.S. officials also said convictions could lead to deportation. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is quoted in the release warning that noncitizens who vote will be pursued and face criminal consequences.

The article notes that the investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota handling the indictment. It also places the case in context by noting that Minnesota has one of the largest Liberian communities in the United States. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.