An undocumented individual has been sentenced for identity fraud, voting in multiple elections, and obtaining U.S. passports under a false identity. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Joseph R. Wysowaty of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Atlanta Resident Office.
U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced Angelica Maria Francisco, 42, from Russellville, to five years in prison. In September 2024, Francisco admitted guilt to charges including two counts of false claims of citizenship related to voting, one count of making false statements on a passport application, five counts of using a passport obtained through false statements, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
“This sentence sends a clear message that any attempts by non-U.S. citizens to vote in the Northern District of Alabama are unacceptable and will result in serious consequences,” stated U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona. “Maintaining the sanctity of the U.S. election system is one of the most important responsibilities of federal law enforcement.”
According to her plea agreement, Francisco assumed a United States citizen's identity in 2011 and used it to obtain a passport that year. She traveled between the United States and Guatemala using this passport in 2012, 2015, and 2018. She registered to vote in Alabama under this false identity in 2016 and participated in both primary and general elections during 2016 and 2020. In 2021, she applied for a renewed passport with the same fraudulent identity and used it for travel again in 2022.
The DSS led the investigation with help from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, East Metro Area Crime Center, and Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich prosecuted the case.