A former Jefferson County sheriff’s employee and Birmingham fire chief is pursuing a plea agreement in a case accusing him of fraud tied to the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic. Sebastian Carrillo’s attorneys are asking for a non-prison punishment, while the state wants him to serve some time within the county, and a judge is expected to set a sentencing date soon.
According to WBRC, Carrillo is accused of fraud involving Paycheck Protection Program funds distributed during the pandemic. The station reports his attorneys have confirmed he’s seeking a sentence that would keep him out of prison, even as prosecutors push for some time to be served in Jefferson County.
Carrillo was indicted on one count of first-degree theft by deception for allegedly obtaining $20,415 in PPP funds under false pretenses, per WVTM 13. He also faces three counts of attempting to evade or defeat income tax on unreported income covering tax years 2020 through 2022, the station reported.
Joint Investigation Led to Grand Jury Indictment
The case stems from a joint investigation by the Alabama attorney general’s office and the Alabama Department of Revenue, the same report notes. The attorney general’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Jefferson County grand jury on December 9, 2025, leading to the charges against Carrillo…