Colombian Citizen Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Identity Theft and Voter Fraud
Carlos Felipe Jaramillo Grajales was sentenced to federal prison and ordered removed to Colombia after adopting a U.S. citizen's identity.
By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 14, 2026, 5:01 p.m. ETWritten Aug 20, 2026, 10:15 a.m. ET
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Carlos Felipe Jaramillo Grajales, 55, of Jacksonville, was by U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger to three years in federal prison, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida on August 13, 2026.
Judge Schlesinger also issued a Judicial Order of Removal directing that Jaramillo Grajales be removed to Colombia following his sentence. Jaramillo Grajales was convicted of making false statements in a U.S. passport application, aggravated identity theft, falsely claiming a Social Security number was assigned to him, and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to vote in an election.
According to official court records, Jaramillo Grajales is a Colombian citizen who assumed the name, birth date, and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen. Using a Puerto Rican birth certificate in that individual's name, he obtained a Florida driver license in March 2003, which he renewed multiple times through February 2024. In April 2003, he used the fraudulent documents to apply for a U.S. passport, which was issued in May 2003 and renewed in February 2013 and March 2023.
In December 2010, Jaramillo Grajales filed a Florida Voter Registration Application affirming he was a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico. After the registration was approved, he voted in several elections, including the November 3, 2020 election in Duval County.
Court filings also detail that Jaramillo Grajales's spouse entered the U.S. on a visitor visa in September 2003, married him under his assumed identity, and obtained U.S. citizenship in August 2017 based on the marriage. After divorcing in January 2020, Jaramillo Grajales flew to Colombia under the false name in May 2024. His former spouse then traveled to Colombia in June 2024 to file a K-1 fiancé visa application under his real name. After re-entering the country and remarrying in June 2025, Jaramillo Grajales applied for permanent residence.
“Federal immigration laws serve to safeguard our nation’s borders and protect the integrity of our government,” U.S. Attorney Kehoe said. “Those who seek to circumvent, exploit, or break these laws will be prosecuted fully.”
Homeland Security Investigations Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tim Hemker stated that the case demonstrates federal agencies' commitment to holding individuals accountable for exploiting stolen identities and undermining government systems.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.
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