Denton Mayoral candidate Zul Mirza Mohamed was sentenced to four years in prison and ten years of probation for voter fraud during the 2020 Carrollton mayoral race.
The Cross-Timbers Gazette reported that leading up to the 2020 elections, Mohamed, 43, engaged in fraudulent activities by manipulating mail-in ballots. The Denton County Elections Administration detected irregularities in ballot applications in September 2020, prompting a swift response from the Denton County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities arrested Mohamed on October 8, 2020, after uncovering his scheme to forge ballot-by-mail applications using fake IDs directed to a ghost mailbox in Lewisville.
Investigations led to Mohamed facing over 100 felony charges, albeit three counts were eventually dismissed.
The robust investigation technique included surveillance and secret operations, allowing prosecutors to present a compelling case during the three-day jury trial in the 462nd District Court.
Mohamed eventually pled guilty to 25 counts of “Method of Returning Ballot” and 81 counts for “Fraudulent Use of an Application for Ballot by Mail.”
While the charges could have resulted in a two to twenty-year prison term or hefty fines, expert testimony concerning Mohamed's mental health played a critical role in the final sentencing decision. Denton County Judge Eads praised the jury's resolution, emphasizing the importance of preserving election integrity.
“Today is a significant day for election integrity in Denton County,” Judge Eads declared as the sentence was handed down. He praised the collaborative efforts in uncovering and prosecuting the voter fraud case.
Judge Eads acknowledged the Denton County Elections Administration, Sheriff’s Office, and prosecutors for their diligent roles in bringing Mohamed to justice. “I am proud of our dedicated team for thoroughly investigating the crime and bringing it to the finish line,” he added.
Following the trial, Jury Foreman Shannon Napier expressed heightened confidence in Denton County's electoral integrity.
The trial served as an educational insight into the robust electoral safeguards in place.
Frank Phillips, a senior elections officer, stressed the ongoing commitment to secure and accurate elections. “Our aim is to ensure that our elections are fair, accurate, and completed with integrity,” he noted, emphasizing the distinction between the United States and less democratic systems.
Assistant District Attorney Jesse Davis highlighted the broader implication of the trial for community vigilance. “This is a story about how Denton County’s citizens prevented an attempt to subvert our electoral process,” Davis commented to the jury.
“You represent 1 million people. Your decisions reflect the values and integrity of Denton County,” Davis told the jurors, underscoring the weight of their decision-making on behalf of the broader community.
The conclusion of this case not only upholds the principles of electoral integrity but also reinforces public trust in the systems designed to protect democratic processes within Denton County.
