A couple from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, have 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 the unlawful employment of aliens.
Court documents show that between November 2020 and at least September 2024, Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 30-year-old Indian national who was unlawfully residing in Ronceverte after his visa expired, worked at a Fairlea business owned by the Patels. Both Rajesh and Avanibahen Patel acknowledged hiring Makwana with knowledge of his immigration status.
Rajesh N. Patel also admitted to driving Makwana to work and other locations because Makwana did not own a vehicle. He further acknowledged failing to collect or pay payroll taxes on Makwana’s wages and providing for Makwana’s rent and groceries during most of his employment.
Makwana previously pleaded guilty on May 14, 2025, to aggravated identity theft as part of 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 in order to apply for permanent residency—a plan that ultimately failed. His sentencing is set for September 26, 2025.
As part of his plea agreement, Rajesh N. Patel admitted awareness of the marriage fraud conspiracy and said he aided it by making cash payments to co-conspirators. Kalee Ann Huff of Fairbury, Illinois—who married Makwana as part of the scheme—was sentenced on June 12, 2025, to five years’ 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 arranging the fake marriage.
Sentencing for Rajesh N. Patel is scheduled for January 9, 2026; he faces up to five years in prison plus supervised release and fines. Avanibahen Patel will be sentenced January 5, 2026; she could receive up to six months in prison as well as supervised release and fines.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the pleas and recognized investigative efforts by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearings; Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the cases.
The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and related crimes through coordinated resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). More information about these cases can be found through PACER by searching case numbers associated with each defendant.
"These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime," according to officials.
