Federal prosecutors allege Yupeng Sun, 33, of Andover, Massachusetts, registered a roommate and cast an early ballot in that man’s name in the 2024 presidential election. Investigators say Sun also impersonated the couple on immigration paperwork that led to temporary confiscation of their green cards and later submitted anonymous tips accusing the victim of illegal voting. An immigration judge restored the couple’s lawful permanent resident status after forensic evidence supported their claim that they had not signed the forms. Sun faces two federal counts of voter fraud and potential deportation if convicted.
Chinese National in Massachusetts Charged With Voting Under Roommate's Name in 2024 Presidential Election, DOJ Says
Prosecutors allege Yupeng Sun cast a ballot using another man's identity during early voting in the 2024 presidential election.
A Chinese national living in Andover, Massachusetts, was arrested after federal prosecutors say he admitted registering another man to vote and casting an early ballot in that man’s name in the 2024 presidential election.
Allegations and Charges
Yupeng Sun, 33, is charged with one count of fraudulent voter registration and one count of fraudulent voting, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts said. According to the criminal complaint, Sun told investigators during a July interview that he had registered the alleged victim and later voted using the man’s identity.
When shown the victim's voter registration record, Sun reportedly said, "I tell you the truth, I register." After agents displayed a photo of an early-voting envelope submitted at Malden City Hall on Oct. 31, 2024, Sun allegedly said, "I used his name to vote."
Related Immigration Allegations
Investigators say Sun previously rented a room from the alleged victim and his family in Malden. Prosecutors further allege Sun impersonated the man and his wife on immigration forms that sought to have them abandon their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. When the couple returned from an international trip in June 2024, authorities confiscated their green cards and initiated removal proceedings.
An immigration judge later restored the couple’s LPR status in January 2026 after finding their testimony credible and considering forensic evidence indicating the couple had not signed the disputed forms.
Additional Allegations and Suspect Status
Federal agents also allege Sun submitted anonymous tips to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accusing the alleged victim of illegally voting in 2024; Sun allegedly admitted sending those tips during the interview. The complaint says Sun entered the United States in September 2020 on a B-2 tourist visa that expired in March 2021 and currently has deferred-action status based on a U-Visa application filed in February 2022.
Potential Penalties and Investigating Agencies
Each voter-fraud count carries a statutory maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors said Sun could also face deportation after any sentence is served. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI in New England. Lexington and Andover police assisted in the investigation; the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office did not immediately comment.
Note: All allegations in the complaint are claims; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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