Two men from Bergen County have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of illegally voting in a federal election and making false statements during their applications for U.S. citizenship, according to an announcement from Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello.
The indictments state that Muhammad Muzammal, 37, and Muhammad Shakeel, 62, were not citizens when they registered to vote in New Jersey. Both men are alleged to have falsely certified on their registration forms that they were United States citizens. After being approved for voter registration, the indictments allege both cast ballots in the November 2020 general election, which included the presidential race. U.S. law requires individuals to be citizens in order to register and vote in federal elections.
Following the election, both men reportedly submitted applications for naturalization (N-400 forms), swearing under penalty of perjury that all information provided was accurate. The indictments claim each man falsely stated on these forms that he had never registered to vote or participated in any Federal, state, or local elections.
During subsequent interviews with Immigration Services Officers—where both men were under oath—they allegedly repeated these false assertions regarding their voting history.
Muhammad Shakeel is scheduled for an initial appearance before a Magistrate at federal District Court in Trenton on January 21, 2026; his case is assigned to District Judge Georgette Castner. Muhammad Muzammal’s initial appearance will be held at federal District Court in Camden on a date yet to be determined; his case is assigned to District Judge Karen M. Williams.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant could face up to one year’s imprisonment for voting by an alien in a federal election; up to five years’ imprisonment for making false statements related to naturalization under 18 U.S.C. § 1015(a); and up to ten years’ imprisonment for additional false statements under 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a).
Senior Counsel Lamparello credited special agents from the FBI (under Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy), Homeland Security Investigations (under Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (under District Director John Thompson) with conducting the investigations.
"This case was brought under the United States Attorney’s Office’s Election Integrity Task Force, a coalition of federal law enforcement partners focused on preserving and protecting the integrity of elections conducted in the District of New Jersey."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the Special Prosecutions Division is representing the government.
"The charges and allegations contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
Rizwan M. Khalid is listed as defense counsel for both defendants.
