Ohio grand juries indict six non-citizens for allegedly illegally voting in past elections

Though his arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 1, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, a Democrat, later announced on Wednesday that Patel had died in December 2022. 

The state attorney general's office said Miller is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Nicholas Fontaine, 32, of Kent, was indicted in Portage County on one count of illegal voting. 

The remaining three were indicted in Franklin County. 

Ahmed Aden, 35, of Columbus, was indicted on one count of illegal voting. State special prosecutors say he is a legal permanent resident who lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2008 and 2020. 

Van Thuy Cooper, 53, of Hilliard, was indicted on one count of illegal voting. Another legal permanent resident, she too lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016 and 2020. 

And Maria Dearaujo, 62, of Columbus, was indicted on one count of illegal voting. A lawful resident, Dearaujo lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016 and 2018, according to Yost'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."