Carlos Jose Abreu, 45, appeared in federal court in Miami facing charges related to voter fraud and firearm possession. Abreu, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic residing in Broward County, Florida, is accused of impersonating a United States citizen for voter registration and voting in a federal election. He also faces charges for unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Previously indicted for passport application fraud and aggravated identity theft under case number 24-cr-60155, Abreu pled guilty to passport fraud on January 8, 2025. Court documents reveal that Abreu illegally entered the United States around 20 years ago and has lived under an assumed identity since then. In New Jersey, he faced charges including kidnapping and sexual assault but moved to Florida where he assumed the identity of a U.S. citizen to obtain legal documentation such as a driver's license and passport.
The new indictment (case no. 25-cr-60015) alleges that Abreu used this false identity to register to vote in September 2020 and participated in the November 2022 federal midterm elections. Furthermore, it is alleged that he illegally possessed a firearm—an offense punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted. Deportation proceedings may also follow any conviction.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida alongside Acting Special Agent Michael Conklin from the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office.
The DSS Miami Field Office led the investigation with Assistant United States Attorney Brianna Coakley prosecuting the case.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Further information can be accessed through related court documents available on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or via PACER.