JACKSONVLLE, Fla. – A Colombian citizen living in Jacksonville has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after using a stolen American’s identity for more than two decades to obtain government documents and vote in U.S. elections.
Carlos Felipe Jaramillo Grajales, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. He was convicted of making false statements in a passport application, aggravated identity theft, falsely claiming a Social Security number had been assigned to him, and falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen to vote in an election. The court also issued a judicial order of removal directing that Jaramillo Grajales be returned to Colombia.
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A stolen identity, years of fraud
According to court documents, Jaramillo Grajales used the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a real U.S. citizen to build a false identity. He used those credentials to obtain a Florida driver’s license as far back as March 2003 — renewing it multiple times, with the last renewal in February 2024.
In April 2003, he submitted a U.S. passport application using the stolen identity, along with a Puerto Rican birth certificate and the driver’s license he had obtained. A passport was issued in May 2003. He successfully renewed that passport twice — in February 2013 and again in March 2023.
In December 2010, Jaramillo Grajales filed a Florida Voter Registration Application, claiming to be a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico. His registration was approved, and he went on to vote in several elections — including the November 3, 2020, general election in Duval County.
Fraud extended to spouse’s immigration case
The scheme also affected Jaramillo Grajales’s then-spouse. She entered the United States on a visitor’s visa in September 2003, and the two later married. Because her husband appeared to be a U.S. citizen, she was able to apply for — and receive — legal permanent residence and eventual citizenship. She became a U.S. citizen in August 2017. The couple divorced in January 2020.
How the case unraveled
In May 2024, Jaramillo Grajales traveled to Colombia using his false identity. The following month, his ex-spouse flew to Colombia and filed a K-1 fiancé visa application on his behalf — this time using his real name. The visa was approved and he returned to the United States under his true identity. Jaramillo Grajales and his ex-spouse remarried in June 2025, and he subsequently applied for permanent residence based on that marriage.
Investigators, prosecutors speak out
“Federal immigration laws serve to safeguard our nation’s borders and protect the integrity of our government,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “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 said the case illustrated the far-reaching consequences of identity fraud.
“This criminal illegal alien spent years exploiting a stolen identity of a United States citizen to obtain government documents, claim benefits, and unlawfully participate in the electoral process,” Hemker said. “This conviction demonstrates that identity theft, immigration fraud, and fraud against the integrity of United States government systems will be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. HSI remains committed to protecting victims, safeguarding public institutions, and ensuring that those who abuse our immigration and identification systems are held accountable.”