RALEIGH, N.C. – A Canadian alien pleaded guilty to two counts of making false claims certifying that he was a United States citizen on North Carolina voter registration applications in 2022 and 2024 to vote in the 2022 elections and 2024 presidential election.According to court documents, Denis Bouchard, 70, falsely claimed to be a United States citizen to vote. Bouchard lived in the United States since the 1960’s, but he never obtained United States citizenship.“This shows that our elections remain under attack from aliens. We will not tolerate noncitizens lying to illegally vote here in North Carolina. Every eligible citizen should have confidence that an alien voting illegally will get sniffed out and prosecuted. As seen as recently as Tuesday, every single vote counts because the difference between winning and losing can come down to two votes. Every ineligible vote cancels out a legal vote. We especially want to thank the vigilance of our N.C. State Board of Elections, who ferreted out this illegal voter.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle."Election security is one of the FBI’s top priorities. Americans expect fair elections and democracy requires it. This case is a testament to the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners in North Carolina to arrest and prosecute anyone who illegally participates in our democratic process, and the FBI will fully investigate any individual who attempts to subvert our upcoming 2026 elections,” said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.“This conviction exemplifies our strong committed partnerships with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office to enforce our election laws and to safeguard our electoral system. An American citizen’s right to vote is sacred, and we must do everything possible to protect that individual right and the opportunity to exercise it.” said State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes. “The State Board will continue to actively investigate all credible allegations of voter fraud by individuals and organizations with the goal of bolstering confidence in North Carolina’s electoral process.”When sentenced, he faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment on each count. W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the Honorable Robert T. Numbers, II, U.S. Magistrate Judge, accepted the plea. The FBI is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton is prosecuting the case.A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-00083-D.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice