Five non-citizens arrested for voter fraud across the Northern District

ALBANY | Five non-citizens in Northern New York are facing voter fraud charges relating to the last presidential election. On Oct. 13 and 14, Vikki Bradt, 51, a British National, of Ballston Spa; Samantha Merkle, 55, a British National of Glens Falls; Suad Sasic, 30, a Bosnian National of Clifton Park; Jacques Patry, 64, a Canadian National of Tupper Lake; and Paula Stitt, 57, a Canadian National of Albany, appeared on charges of voting by aliens. All are lawful permanent residents. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement Friday morning. The complaints against all five defendants allege that they are aliens, who knew they were not United States citizens and that they knowingly voted in an election held in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for President, Vice President, Member of the United States Senate, or Member of the United States House of Representatives. These charges carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine up to $100,000. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute(s) the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, "the law is clear that only U.S. citizens can vote in elections that have candidates running for federal office. When non-citizens vote, the public loses confidence in the integrity of the election process and its outcome. Our office, working with our federal law enforcement partners, will work tirelessly to prosecute those who should not have voted, but did. Just this week, our office filed charges against five individuals, all of whom were non-citizens and unlawfully voted in federal elections within the last few years." "The integrity of lawful voting and government processes is essential to maintaining public confidence in our institutions," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Patrone." From the North Country to the Capital Region, residents expect that the systems affecting their communities, including the electoral process, operate fairly, lawfully, and with accountability. Today's charges reflect that coordinated effort and HSI's commitment to investigate alleged voter fraud and protect the integrity of government processes that communities in this region rely upon."

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Five non-citizens arrested for voter fraud across the Northern District

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