An undocumented individual has been sentenced to five years in prison for identity fraud and related offenses, as announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Joseph R. Wysowaty, Resident Agent in Charge 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 60 months in prison. In September 2024, Francisco admitted guilt to charges including false claims of citizenship for voting purposes, making false statements on a passport application, using a passport obtained through false statements, and 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 court documents, Francisco assumed a United States citizen's identity in 2011 to obtain a passport. She used this passport for travel between her native Guatemala and the United States in 2012, 2015, and 2018. Under this false identity, she registered to vote in Alabama in 2016 and participated in both primary and general elections during 2016 and 2020. In 2021, she renewed her passport under the same false identity and traveled again to Guatemala in 2022.
The investigation was conducted by DSS with support 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 led the prosecution.
