PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man who was not a U.S. citizen when he voted in the 2024 general election pleaded guilty Wednesday, October 14, to a federal voting offense, exposing him to a possible one-year prison sentence and a fine.
Jamil Ahmad, 50, entered the plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig M. Straw to one count of voting by an alien, according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.
Federal prosecutors charged Ahmad by information in September, alleging that he unlawfully cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election.
At the time, Ahmad was a citizen of Pakistan and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal and Pennsylvania laws prohibit noncitizens from voting in the state’s elections, including individuals who hold lawful permanent resident status.
Ahmad’s guilty plea resolves the criminal charge without a trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced January 26, 2027.
The offense carries a maximum possible penalty of one year in federal prison, a fine or both. The sentence will be determined by the court.
“We intend to prosecute anyone who corrupts our democracy by illegally voting in its elections,” Metcalf said.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.
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