An illegal immigrant has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for assuming a U.S. citizen’s identity, using it to vote in multiple elections, and obtaining multiple U.S. passports.
Angelica Maria Francisco, 42, of Russellville, Alabama, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke.
In September 2024, Francisco pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including false claims of citizenship, false statements in a passport application, use of a U.S. passport obtained by 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,” said 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. My office will remain vigilant in carrying out this mission and, to that end, will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who seek to undermine our elections.”
According to the plea agreement, Francisco assumed the identity of a U.S. citizen in 2011 and used this false identity to obtain a U.S. passport. She subsequently used the passport to travel to and from Guatemala in 2012, 2015, and 2018.
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Francisco also used the stolen identity to register to vote in Alabama in 2016 and cast ballots in the 2016 and 2020 primary and general elections. In 2021, she used the same false identity to renew her passport, which she used to travel to Guatemala again in 2022.
The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) investigated the case with assistance from several agencies, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, East Metro Area Crime Center, and the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich prosecuted the case.
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