Welcome to Arrest Stories. A thirty-three-year-old Winter Springs man faces nearly six centuries behind bars after allegedly stealing dozens of senior citizens' identities to fraudulently support Florida's marijuana legalization amendment. Here's what may have happened.
Alexander Dean Francis found himself in Flagler County custody Thursday, charged with criminal use of personal identification information and thirty-seven counts of using personal identification of victims over sixty years of age. The charges stem from Francis's work as a paid petition circulator for Amendment Three, the controversial proposal that sought to enshrine recreational marijuana use rights in Florida's constitution.
According to official reports, Francis allegedly submitted hundreds of fraudulent petitions to Supervisor of Elections offices across the state. The scheme involved stealing personal information from elderly victims and using their identities without knowledge or consent to artificially inflate support for the marijuana amendment.
The scope of the alleged fraud appears extensive, with authorities indicating Francis targeted senior citizens specifically for this elaborate deception. The two hundred ten thousand dollar case has drawn sharp criticism from state officials who view the charges as an attack on Florida's electoral integrity.
One official stated, "Targeting seniors and exploiting their identities to commit voter fraud and change our state's constitution is abhorrent and an affront to our republican form of government. My office will continue to hold petition fraudsters accountable and protect the sanctity of the Florida Constitution."
The mathematical reality facing Francis is staggering. If convicted on all counts, he could receive up to five hundred eighty-five years in prison, effectively a life sentence that would extend far beyond any reasonable lifespan.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about petition fraud in Florida, particularly involving constitutional amendments that require substantial signature thresholds. The alleged targeting of elderly victims adds another troubling dimension to the charges, as seniors are often considered more vulnerable to identity theft schemes.
Amendment Three ultimately appeared on ballots statewide, though the connection between Francis's alleged fraudulent activities and the amendment's qualification remains under investigation.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.