The U.S. Department of Justice said a federal grand jury in Boston has indicted 10 Indian citizens on charges of conspiring to commit armed robbery to obtain visas. They were all criminally charged in March 2026. In the latest update on the case, the department said all 10 people had previously been conditionally released. Now, once they complete their sentences, they will be deported. They are all illegal in the United States.
List of 10 Patels and their place in the United States
Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, living illegally in Marshfield, Mass.Maheshkumar Patel, 36, living illegally in Randolph, Mass. Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, living illegally in Quincy, Mass.Dipikaben Patel, 40, deported to India after living illegally in Weymouth, MassachusettsRameshbhai Patel, 52, living illegally in Eubank, Kentucky Amitabahen Patel, 43, illegally residing in Plainville, MA Ronakkumar Patel, 28, living illegally in Maryland Heights, Mississippi Sangitaben Patel, 36, living illegally in Randolph, Mass.Minkesh Patel, 42, illegally living in Perrysburg, OhioSonal Patel, 42, lives illegally in Perrysburg, Ohio.
What is armed robbery exhibit fraudulent behavior case?
In March 2023, Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators carried out armed robberies at at least six liquor stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere. The purpose of the robbery was to allow employees who were in the store during the robbery to obtain U visas as victims of violent crime. The AU visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered emotional or physical abuse and who provide assistance to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of a crime. Rambhai Patel took money from store employees who needed visas to stage armed robberies and paid store owners to use their stores to stage robberies. Rambhai and his driver Balwinder Singh were convicted in May 2025. The 10 indicted Patels either arranged with Rambhai Patel to prepare for each robbery or paid to obtain U visas for themselves or family members. The visa fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. In addition, the defendant will be deported after being sentenced.In March, 11 Indians were charged, but now 10 people have been indicted. Mitul Patel, 40, who lives illegally in Worcester, Massachusetts, does not appear on the latest list.