German man charged with falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to vote

A German man living in Sioux City was charged Thursday in U.S. District Court for claiming to be a U.S. citizen in order to register to vote.

Christopher Mettin, 19, was charged with one count of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship in order to vote, according to indictment filed Oct. 21.

Mettin made a false statement or claim that he was a citizen on a voter registration form, according to the indictment. The indictment also alleges on October 12, Mettin falsely represented himself to be a U.S. citizen to agents of

the Department of Homeland Security.

According to a complaint filed October 18, Mettin is a citizen of Germany who entered the United States on August 18, with a German passport and F-1 student visa to study at Morningside College in Sioux City.

Mettin's student visa was terminated on October 6, by Morningside College for failing to maintain status, according to the indictment.

If convicted on both charges, Mettin faces up to 8 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.

His trial is set January 3, 2011.