Ashokkumar Prahladbhai Patel, Unlawful Re-Entry, Virgin Islands 2023

St. Croix, VI – In a shocking turn of events, Ashokkumar Prahladbhai Patel, 40, has pleaded guilty to Re-Entry of Removed Alien in the US Virgin Islands. According to court documents, Patel, an Indian national, re-entered the United States after being removed in 2019.

On November 24, 2021, Patel appeared before U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix for pre-boarding inspection for his flight on Spirit Airlines to Fort Lauderdale, FL. During his inspection, Patel presented a fraudulent Florida driver’s license.

CBP officers then conducted a database inquiry which revealed that on August 17, 2019, Patel was apprehended and detained by CBP in Tecate, CA, and was processed for expedited removal. Patel was subsequently removed from the United States to India on November 21, 2019.

After his removal, Patel did not obtain express consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to re-enter the United States. Patel’s sentencing in this matter is scheduled for April 5, 2023, where he faces a term of imprisonment of up to two years.

The case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston.

Ashokkumar Prahladbhai Patel, 40, pleaded guilty to Re-Entry of Removed Alien. He faces up to 2 years in prison. Patel re-entered the United States after being removed in 2019.

The U.S. Virgin Islands is home to a diverse community of immigrants, and this case serves as a reminder of the importance of following the law. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our borders and uphold the rule of law.

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