A 56-year-old Nigerian woman, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, has been arrested in Massachusetts, United States, and charged with allegedly voting illegally in the 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential primary.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said Okafor, a Nigerian citizen residing in Lynn, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with unlawfully voting as an alien.

According to the charging documents, Okafor was born in Aba, Nigeria, and obtained lawful permanent resident status in December 2022. She was not a US citizen and had not applied for citizenship.

Authorities alleged that in July 2022, Okafor submitted a voter registration form in which she certified that she was a US citizen. She was subsequently registered to vote by the City of Lynn and allegedly cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm elections.

The authorities further alleged that Okafor submitted another voter registration form in October 2023, again declaring herself a US citizen. She allegedly voted in the 2024 presidential primary.

The charge of unlawful voting as an alien carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. Authorities said she could also face deportation after serving any sentence imposed.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit.

US authorities, however, stressed that the allegations have not been proven in court and that Okafor is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.