FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 45-year-old man illegally living in the United States stole an American’s identity and used it to vote in Broward County, according to federal prosecutors.
Dominican national Carlos Jose Abreu appeared in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Monday, facing charges of impersonating a United States citizen when registering to vote and when voting in a federal election.
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Prosecutors said he had pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to passport application fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Abreu came to the U.S. illegally about two decades ago.
Prosecutors said he moved to Florida and stole the victim’s identity in 2007 after New Jersey authorities issued an arrest warrant against him for charges of kidnapping, sexual assault, endangering a child and criminal restraint.
Abreu used the stolen identity to obtain a Florida driver’s license and apply for a passport, authorities allege.
Officials said he registered to vote under the assumed identity in 2020 and voted in the 2022 midterm elections.
He’s also facing a federal charge for having a gun as an illegal alien.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison and is subject to deportation, according to the DOJ.
As of Monday evening, Abreu is being held on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service at the Broward Main Jail.