Feds Charge Russian National for Illegally Voting in the 2024 Presidential Election
DETROIT / Friday, September 18, 2026 – Victoria Viktorovna Aquilina, 43, a Russian national, was charged today with illegally voting in the 2024 presidential election, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit.
Aquilina was charged in an Information with voting by an alien.
Aquilina first entered the United States using her Russian passport over 20 years ago, on a visa obtained through an au pair program. Aquilina never became a naturalized citizen. But she voted in-person in the 2024 presidential election.
“American elections are for American citizens. And foreigners who undermine our election integrity threaten our republican institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“Election integrity is national security,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “If you are not a United States citizen, you do not get to vote in American elections, and if you do, HSI will work relentlessly with our partners to identify you, investigate you, and bring you before the justice system. HSI Detroit will not tolerate unlawful conduct that undermines public confidence in our democratic process.”
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
An information is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent. It is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan
