Honduran National Living in San Fernando Valley Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Charging Him with Fraudulently Registering to Vote

LOS ANGELES – A Honduran national and lawful permanent resident living in the San Fernando Valley was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with fraudulently registering to vote in United States elections.

Darwin Jonathan Rivera Flores, 30, of Winnetka, is charged with two felonies: false claim to U.S. citizenship and fraudulent voter registration.

Rivera was arrested this morning and is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

“Noncitizens who commit fraud so they can vote in American elections do so in violation of federal law and should expect to be prosecuted,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Let this criminal complaint serve as a reminder that the Justice Department stands ready to enforce the laws Congress enacted to ensure only American citizens vote in federal elections.” 

“Today’s arrest is the first of many to come,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Unfortunately, because states like California allow non-citizens to easily register to vote and receive a ballot by mail, there’s no telling how many non-citizens are currently registered to vote. We again renew our request that California immediately comply with our requests to audit their voter rolls so that all voters can have confidence in our elections.” 

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Rivera was born in Honduras, entered the United States in 2002, and is present in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident (commonly known as “green card” holder). He is not a U.S. citizen.

In February 2026, Rivera physically disrupted immigration law enforcement operations at the federal building in Camarillo, was issued a misdemeanor citation to which he pleaded guilty and was placed on one year of probation. 

In April 2026, Rivera sent a federal agent a series of text messages, which read in part, “Your not the good guy  I can’t wait until the mid terms you dont have qualified immunity then we can start and indict all you guys one bye one.” Rivera continued texting the federal agent until July 2026.

Law enforcement investigated and discovered an online voter registration record in the name of “Darwin Rivera” associated with Rivera’s Winnetka address. Law enforcement also obtained a certified voter registration application number, a voter registration receipt, and a signature image from the California Secretary of State, Elections Division. 

The voter registration name was listed as “Darwin J Rivera” and listed Rivera’s address in Winnetka. Under the application question of “Did someone help you fill out this form” the answer “no” was checked, and a check mark was provided next to the application wording “I am a U.S. citizen.”

Following a declaration under penalty of perjury warning, the voter registration application deadline was dated November 4, 2025.

Additional records from California Secretary of State and the County of Los Angeles, the birthplace listed under Rivera’s name was “United States of America.”

There is no record of Rivera seeking or obtaining U.S. citizenship. Rivera also has not voted in an election.

A criminal complaint contains merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, Rivera would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison on each charge.

Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael G. Wheat of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.