Mexican Man Sentenced for Voter Fraud in U.S. Elections
Share
SACRAMENTO — A Mexican national who assumed an American’s identity to vote in five federal elections was sentenced Tuesday to 3 years, 9 months in prison in a federal courtroom in Sacramento.
Gustavo Araujo Lerma, 64, was convicted by a jury in August of aggravated identity theft, making a false statement on a passport application and five counts of voting by an alien in federal elections.
“Today’s sentence serves to protect the public’s confidence in the immigration system, passport security, and federal elections and will deter others from perpetrating this type of fraud.” — U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott
Lerma insisted he is an American named Hiram Enrique Velez. Prosecutors said Lerma was born in Mexico in 1955 and later purchased a birth certificate and Social Security card with that name in 1992. They said he voted illegally for the past 20 years.His defense argued there is no proof that Lerma is a Mexican citizen. He testified that he was found as a 5-year-old on the streets of San Antonio, Texas, and did not know when or where he was born.
Lerma also testified that he supports President Donald Trump and donated to the Republican Party.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Araujo Lerma was born in Leon, Mexico, in 1955 and used a fraudulent passport to fly back and forth to his hometown. He also lied on immigration applications to obtain legal permanent resident status and eventually United States citizenship for his wife and two children, U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott said.
“Today’s sentence serves to protect the public’s confidence in the immigration system, passport security, and federal elections and will deter others from perpetrating this type of fraud,” Scott said.
Despite Clashes With US Presidents, Israel’s Netanyahu Usually Gets His Way
World /
12 hours ago
Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’
World /
12 hours ago
Oil to Open Higher as US Strikes on Iran Boost Supply Risk Premium
Economy /
12 hours ago
US Bombing of Iran Started With a Fake-Out
World /
12 hours ago
Pakistan Condemns Trump’s Bombing of Iran a Day After Nominating Him for Peace Prize
World /
12 hours ago
Mysterious Ancient Humans Now Have a Face
Science /
13 hours ago
World Leaders React to US Attack on Iran
World /
1 day ago
Advisory Warns of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ in US After Iran Strikes
WASHINGTON -An advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned on Sunday of a “heightened threat environment in the Uni...
News /
11 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

News /
11 hours ago
Advisory Warns of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ in US After Iran Strikes

World /
12 hours ago
Muslim Countries to Set up Contact Group to Seek Israel-Iran De-Escalation

Local /
12 hours ago
Visalia Police Seek Public’s Help in Sexual Assault Investigation

World /
12 hours ago
Despite Clashes With US Presidents, Israel’s Netanyahu Usually Gets His Way

World /
12 hours ago
Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’

Economy /
12 hours ago
Oil to Open Higher as US Strikes on Iran Boost Supply Risk Premium

World /
12 hours ago