A Chinese national residing in Massachusetts was taken into custody on Wednesday following accusations by federal prosecutors that he impersonated another Chinese national to register and cast a vote in the 2024 presidential election. Subsequently, he allegedly reported the purported victim to immigration authorities for illegal voting.
Yupeng Sun, 33, of Andover, faces one count of fraudulent voter registration and one count of fraudulent voting, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Allegations of Voter Impersonation
The criminal complaint details that Sun confessed during a July interview with federal investigators to registering the victim to vote and later casting a ballot under the man's identity. When confronted with the victim's voter registration information, Sun reportedly told investigators, "I tell you the truth, I register."
Investigators presented Sun with a photograph of an early voting ballot envelope submitted at Malden City Hall on October 31, 2024. Sun allegedly responded by stating, "I used his name to vote." Massachusetts voter records indicate that the ballot submitted under the victim's name was accepted for the 2024 presidential election, as per the complaint.
Immigration Fraud and False Accusations
Prosecutors allege that Sun previously rented a room from the victim and his family in Malden. Furthermore, investigators contend that Sun also impersonated the victim and his wife in official immigration documents, submitting requests for them to relinquish their legal permanent resident status.
Upon returning from an international trip in June 2024, the couple had their green cards confiscated and were subsequently placed into removal proceedings. An immigration judge ultimately reinstated their legal permanent resident status in January 2026, after finding their testimony credible and reviewing forensic evidence confirming they had not signed the fraudulent forms.
Federal investigators assert that Sun later submitted anonymous tips to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, accusing the victim of illegally voting in the 2024 election. Sun reportedly acknowledged sending these tips during an interview with investigators, stating, "I went to post office and, uh, to report the father vote."
Defendant's Status and Legal Ramifications
Sun, a citizen and national of China, entered the U.S. in September 2020 on a B-2 tourist visa, which expired in March 2021. He currently holds deferred action status based on a U-Visa application submitted in February 2022, according to the complaint.
Each charge of voter fraud carries a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors also indicated that Sun could face deportation proceedings following the completion of any imposed sentence.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and Jeff Grimming, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. The Lexington and Andover police departments provided assistance during the investigation.
