Fact Check: Elliott Duke's Citizenship Revoked for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
What We Know
Elliott Duke, a former U.K. citizen who enlisted in the U.S. Army, had his U.S. citizenship revoked due to his conviction for distributing child sexual abuse material. According to the Justice Department, Duke began his illegal activities while serving in Germany in 2012. He applied for U.S. citizenship in November 2012, falsely claiming on his application that he had never committed any crimes apart from a speeding ticket. He was granted citizenship on January 18, 2013, but was arrested later that year for possession and distribution of child pornography.
Duke's criminal activities included the possession of 168 videos and 187 images depicting minors in sexually explicit situations. He was convicted on January 23, 2014, for these offenses. The Justice Department filed for his denaturalization in February 2025, and on June 13, 2025, a federal judge ordered the revocation of his citizenship, emphasizing that individuals who fraudulently obtain citizenship by concealing serious crimes will face legal consequences (source).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Elliott Duke's citizenship was revoked for distributing child sexual abuse material is robust. The Justice Department's official announcement details the timeline of Duke's criminal activities and the subsequent legal actions taken against him. The NPR report corroborates this information, confirming that Duke admitted to his crimes prior to becoming a U.S. citizen and that his case was part of a broader initiative by the DOJ to prioritize denaturalization for individuals who obtained citizenship through fraudulent means.
The sources cited are credible, originating from official government announcements and reputable news organizations. The Justice Department's press release is a primary source, providing direct information about the case and the legal rationale for denaturalization. NPR's coverage adds context about the DOJ's broader policy changes regarding citizenship revocation, which supports the claim's validity.
Conclusion
The claim that Elliott Duke's citizenship was revoked for distributing child sexual abuse material is True. The evidence from credible sources demonstrates that Duke engaged in serious criminal behavior prior to and during his naturalization process, leading to his denaturalization by the U.S. government.
