PHILADELPHIA, PA — A 52-year-old Philippine citizen pleaded guilty Thursday, Nov. 5, to illegally voting in Pennsylvania’s 2020 general election after falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on a voter registration application, federal prosecutors announced.
Emily Custodio entered her guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky to one count of voting by an alien, according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.
Custodio faces a maximum possible sentence of one year in federal prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2027.
According to federal court filings and statements, Custodio submitted an online voter registration application to the Pennsylvania Department of State on July 18, 2020.
Although she was not a U.S. citizen, Custodio answered “Yes” to the application question asking whether she held American citizenship.
The Department of State accepted her application on July 21, 2020, registering her to vote based on the information she provided.
On Nov. 3, 2020, Custodio appeared at her assigned polling place in Philadelphia County to participate in the general election.
Before voting, she signed the poll book beside a certification stating, “I hereby certify that I am qualified to vote at this election…”
Custodio then cast a ballot in the election, which included the presidential and vice presidential contests.
Federal and Pennsylvania law prohibit noncitizens from voting in the state’s elections, regardless of whether they have successfully registered.
A federal grand jury indicted Custodio in September 2025. Her guilty plea resolves the charge against her, with the sentence to be determined by the court in February.
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