Elisha Dawkins Gets Assistance from Senator Bill Nelson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Iraq veteran Elisha Dawkins recently spent a few months in prison for allegedly submitting false information on a passport application. Now that he's out of jail, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is assisting this Army veteran and current Navy Reserves Petty Officer in his efforts to become a U.S. citizen.
Dawkins moved to the United States from the Bahamas when he was young. After his mother was deported, Elisha stayed behind and was raised in Miami. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the Army and served in Iraq. He is currently a member of the Navy Reserves and is studying at FSCJ to become a nurse.
In April, the 26-year old was arrested on the passport charge and spent time at a federal detention center until his release last week. He was charged with making a false statement on a 2006 U.S. passport application. He allegedly did not report that he had applied for a passport in 2005.
Conviction on this type of charge can carry a 10 year sentence, but federal prosecutors have agreed to a deal that allows Dawkins to avoid a trial and to stay in this country to continue his Navy service while he pursues citizenship in the United States.
Senator Nelson spoke on Dawkins' behalf on the Senate floor last month while Elisha was still in Jail. Nelson is also supporting the DREAM Act which is aimed at helping individuals in similar situations that Dawkins is in. Both Nelson and Dawkins met each other in person at the senator's Jacksonville office on Monday afternoon. Mr. Nelson reiterated that he and his staff will continue to assist Dawkins in any way they can to clear up this issue.