SHREVEPORT – On September 9, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bridget Johnson, 53, of Cotton Valley, with Fraudulent Voter Registration and Voting by an Alien, and Michael Wedderburn, 52, of Jamaica, with Voting by an Alien. If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and Wedderburn faces a maximum penalty of one year, along with additional financial penalties.
“Protecting the integrity of Louisiana’s elections—and our national elections—is essential to protecting our constitutional republic,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “The right to vote is sacred. When individuals undermine that process through fraud or abuse, they threaten the public’s confidence in a fair and lawful election system. Our Office will continue to safeguard the sanctity of the vote and hold accountable those who violate our laws.”
According to court documents, Johnson was a resident of Webster Parish and a candidate in the 2024 election for mayor of Cotton Valley. Wedderburn is a non‑citizen alien in the United States and was ineligible to vote in Louisiana elections.
On July 14, 2024, Johnson allegedly completed and electronically submitted a Louisiana voter registration application in Wedderburn’s name, falsely stating that he was a United States citizen. The indictment also alleges that Wedderburn went on to vote illegally in the November 5, 2024, election for a federal office, and in the Cotton Valley mayoral race.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and Alexandra Porubsky with assistance from Legal Assistant Ginger Green.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is currently pending assignment.