A couple from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to immigration-related offenses in federal court. Rajesh N. Patel, 51, admitted to knowingly transporting an illegal alien, while his wife Avanibahen Patel, 44, pleaded guilty to unlawful employment of aliens.
Court documents show that between November 2020 and at least September 2024, Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 30-year-old Indian citizen unlawfully residing in Ronceverte, worked at a Fairlea business owned by the Patels. Both Rajesh and Avanibahen Patel acknowledged hiring Makwana despite knowing he was living in the United States illegally after his visa expired.
Rajesh N. Patel also admitted to driving Makwana to work and other locations because Makwana did not have a vehicle. He further stated that he failed to collect or pay payroll taxes on Makwana’s wages and provided him with rent payments and groceries during most of his employment.
Makwana previously pleaded guilty on May 14, 2025, to aggravated identity theft for participating in a scheme involving marriage fraud intended to evade U.S. immigration laws. In August 2021, he conspired with others to marry a U.S. citizen so he could apply for lawful permanent residence status; however, the attempt was unsuccessful. He is scheduled for sentencing on September 26, 2025.
As part of his plea agreement, Rajesh N. Patel admitted knowledge of the marriage fraud conspiracy and said he aided it by making cash payments to co-conspirators involved in arranging the fake marriage.
Kalee Ann Huff of Fairbury, Illinois—who married Makwana as part of the scheme—was sentenced on June 12, 2025, to five years of federal probation for marriage fraud and perjury. Her brother-in-law Joseph Sanchez also received five years’ probation on May 28, 2025 after admitting involvement in organizing the fraudulent marriage.
Sentencing for Rajesh N. Patel is set for January 9, 2026; he faces up to five years in prison along with supervised release and fines up to $250,000. Avanibahen Patel will be sentenced January 5, 2026; she faces up to six months’ imprisonment as well as supervised release and possible fines up to $3,000.
“Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).”
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over proceedings while Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted these cases.
The prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration through coordinated efforts among various agencies including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Additional information about these cases can be found by searching Case Nos. 5:25-cr-136 and 5:25-cr-137 on PACERLinks.
