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Voter Fraud Convictions in Missouri, 2016-2020

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A.
Conviction Details
B.
Background
C.
Potential Election Impact
1.Election Year: 2016
Name: Kevin Kunlay Williams, also known as Kunlay Sodipo
Party Affiliation: Party Affiliation is not tracked in Missouri[1]According to the website of the County Clerk / Election Authority of Jefferson County, Missouri, “Missouri law does not require an individual to register by political party. Many states do have … Continue reading

Offense and Sentencing:
Kevin Kunlay Williams pleaded guilty on 7/14/2017 to “mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, voter fraud and illegally re-entering the United States after having been removed” in relation to offenses committed between 1999 and 2016.[2]United States Department of Justice, “Nigerian Citizen Pleads Guilty In Missouri to $12 Million Tax Refund Fraud, Voter Fraud and Illegal Reentry,” justice.gov, July 14, 2017 Williams was sentenced in October 2017 to 78 months in prison, a fine of $889,712 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, plus forfeiture of money orders totaling $10,810; Williams also faces deportation.[3]United States Department of Justice, “Nigerian Citizen Sentenced to 6 ½ Years in Prison for $12 Million Tax Refund Fraud, Voter Fraud, and Illegal Reentry,” justice.gov, October 20, 2017 On 8/15/2018, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit denied Williams’ appeal against the length of his sentence and affirmed the court’s ruling. On 1/19/2021, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri denied Williams’ motion to “reopen his motion to vacate, set aside or correct his sentence.”
“A Nigerian citizen, who resided in St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, voter fraud and illegally re-entering the United States after having been removed,… [Kevin Kunlay] Williams previously entered the United States from Nigeria under the name Kunlay Sodipo, but was deported in 1995. In 1999, Williams illegally returned to the United States from Nigeria using the last name Williams. In 2012, Williams registered to vote in federal, state and local elections by falsely claiming that he was a U.S. citizen and voted in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections.”[4]United States Department of Justice, “Nigerian Citizen Pleads Guilty In Missouri to $12 Million Tax Refund Fraud, Voter Fraud and Illegal Reentry,” justice.gov, July 14, 2017

Case Notes:
United States of America v. Kevin Kunlay Williams a/k/a Kunlay Sodipo
US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri – Case Number: 4:17 CR 00065-RWS/SPM – Indictment and Superseding Indictment
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit – Docket Number: 17-3356 – Opinion
US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri – Docket Number: 4:18 CV 1480-RWS – Appeal Memorandum & Order
Type of Election:
Presidential

Party Affiliation:
Not Found

Theoretical Election Effect:
1 illegal vote, party unknown

Return to the Voter Fraud Convictions Summary Chart

References

References
1 According to the website of the County Clerk / Election Authority of Jefferson County, Missouri, “Missouri law does not require an individual to register by political party. Many states do have this requirement. Please do not indicate your political party affiliation as you fill out your voter registration application.” – Source: County Clerk / Election Authority of Jefferson County, Missouri, “Voter Information > Party Affiliation,” jeffcomo.org, accessed on April 14, 2022
2, 4 United States Department of Justice, “Nigerian Citizen Pleads Guilty In Missouri to $12 Million Tax Refund Fraud, Voter Fraud and Illegal Reentry,” justice.gov, July 14, 2017
3 United States Department of Justice, “Nigerian Citizen Sentenced to 6 ½ Years in Prison for $12 Million Tax Refund Fraud, Voter Fraud, and Illegal Reentry,” justice.gov, October 20, 2017