Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A Colombian citizen from Jacksonville, Florida, was indicted on Monday, November 17, 2025, for allegedly adopting the identity of a U.S. citizen to fraudulently obtain a passport and driver’s licenses, and to vote in the November 2020 federal general election. Carlos Felipe Jaramillo Grajales, 55, faces multiple federal charges, including aggravated identity theft and voting by an alien.
Charges Detailed in Indictment
The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida, charges Grajales with making false statements in a U.S. passport application. He is also accused of three counts of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to obtain a Florida driver’s license and four counts of falsely claiming a Social Security number had been assigned to him.
Further charges include falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen to vote in an election and one count of voting by an alien in a federal election. The most severe charges levied against Grajales are nine counts of aggravated identity theft.
Allegations of Identity Misuse
According to the indictment, Grajales, a Colombian citizen, allegedly used the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to apply for a U.S. passport. He reportedly employed these same stolen identifiers and false claims of U.S. citizenship on three separate occasions to secure a Florida driver’s license.
These fraudulent means were also allegedly used to cast a ballot in the November 2020 general election. The investigation uncovered a pattern of identity fraud spanning several years.
Potential Penalties
If convicted, Grajales faces significant prison time. The passport fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years, while each false claim of U.S. citizenship and fraudulent use of a Social Security number count could result in up to 5 years in prison.
Voting by an alien carries a maximum sentence of 1 year imprisonment. Each aggravated identity theft count mandates a consecutive 2-year prison sentence, which would be added to any other sentence imposed.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was the result of a collaborative investigation involving the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier is prosecuting the case for the government.
Legal Standing
An indictment is merely a formal accusation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Grajales is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
