Filipino arrested over alleged illegal voting, citizenship application lies

A Filipino green card holder allegedly voted in three California elections, then lied on his citizenship application about previously claiming to be an American and registering to vote, federal prosecutors said.

Sirgalahad Camua, 43, of Palmdale, was among five people arrested as the Justice Department announced charges against six additional foreign nationals under “Operation Protect the Vote.”

The latest cases bring the operation’s total to 34 defendants.

According to prosecutors, Camua falsely claimed U.S. citizenship when he registered to vote in August 2009. He allegedly cast mail-in ballots in May 2020, November 2024, and June 2026.

But when he applied for U.S. citizenship in May 2025, Camua allegedly declared under penalty of perjury that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen or registered to vote.

He is charged with making false statements on his naturalization application.

Also charged are Mexican nationals Krystel Capi Valle, 31, and Gilberto Ruiz, 46; Israeli national Moria Dahan, 35; Canadian citizen Chad Goertz, 52; and Iranian national Mahyar Nikzad, 35.

All six are lawful permanent residents, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors allege they illegally registered or voted, then concealed that history on their citizenship applications.

Camua, Capi Valle, Dahan, Goertz, and Nikzad were arrested and scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles. The announcement did not report Ruiz’s arrest.

Each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted.