Indian National Khalwinder Singh Bhengura Convicted by Federal Jury of Illegally Voting in 2024 Election in Texas
In Fort Worth, Texas, a federal jury has convicted Indian national Khalwinder Singh Bhengura of voting by an alien in a federal election and making a false claim of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced. The jury returned its verdict on October 27 after a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman and several hours of deliberation.
According to evidence presented at trial, Bhengura, a citizen of India, became a lawful permanent resident of the United States on June 29, 2022. He is not a U.S. citizen and has never applied for citizenship. On August 1, 2024, Bhengura applied for a Texas driver license in Tarrant County, checking boxes stating that he was a U.S. citizen and wished to register to vote, and he was registered to vote based on that application. On November 5, 2024, he voted in person at the East Library and Recreation Center in Arlington, Texas, in a general election that included races for President, Vice President, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Sentencing is set for February 11, 2027. Bhengura faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for making false statements of citizenship in order to register to vote, and up to one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000 for voting by an alien in a federal election. He could also be subject to immigration penalties such as removal from the United States after he serves his term of imprisonment.
"Voting in our national elections is reserved for US citizens," U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said. "Every unlawful vote undermines the voices of eligible citizens, and this office will hold accountable anyone who undermines our elections." The HSI Dallas field office conducted the investigation with assistance from the Election Integrity Unit of the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Capoccia and Colin Duffy prosecuted the case.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于Fort Worth的Eldon B. Mahon联邦法院大楼，本案审理法院所在地。/ The Eldon B. Mahon United States Courthouse in Fort Worth, where the case was tried. By Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
