Jamaican woman charged for falsely claiming US citizenship to vote in election

A Jamaican woman is facing up to five years in prison in the United States (US) after she was arrested and charged for making a false claim of American citizenship in order to vote in last year’s presidential primary election in the state of Florida, authorities there have disclosed.

Jacqueline Dianne Wallace, 52, was arrested and charged last month on a federal criminal complaint with unlawfully making a false claim of American citizenship, acting US Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Michelle Spaven, revealed in a statement.

Wallace entered the US in December 2010 on a six-month B-2 tourist visa and did not return to Jamaica as required, according to the criminal complaint.

However, it alleged that in January 2024, she registered to vote in federal elections using an online system that required certification of US citizenship, which she did not have.

The fraudulent voter registration form was submitted via a community college computer network, authorities claimed.

In August 2024 while still without American citizenship, Wallace allegedly cast a ballot in the Florida presidential primary election, which included election of a United States President.

She was arrested by agents from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and investigators of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

If convicted, Wallace faces up to five years in prison and will be subject to removal from the United States.

US authorities say the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice “to repel the invasion of illegal immigration”.

- Livern Barrett

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