A Nigerian national who lived in Olathe, Kansas, has been arrested and charged after federal investigators alleged that he falsely claimed to be a United States citizen and voted in the November 2024 election.
George Olawunmi Johnson, aged 67, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Topeka on Wednesday 23 September. He faces four charges: one count of making a false claim to United States citizenship, one count of making a false claim to United States citizenship in order to vote, one count of fraudulent election conduct, and one count of voting by an alien in a federal election.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas says Johnson falsely claimed citizenship when he registered to vote in Johnson County in February 2010. Prosecutors further say he cast a ballot in Kansas in the November 2024 election. That ballot included contests for president, vice president, the Senate and seats in the House of Representatives.
Officials state that he certified his eligibility to vote as a United States citizen even though he is a lawful permanent resident. Permanent residents may live and work in the United States. They do not have the right to vote in federal elections or to hold a United States passport.
Johnson made his first court appearance on 23 September before United States Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Homeland Security Investigations is conducting the investigation, with assistance from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Federal authorities later said Johnson was one of 12 people charged across the United States in connection with alleged illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration and other election offences. Three of those charged were described as people present in the country unlawfully.
Johnson has not entered a plea. He remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court finds him guilty.
By John James
