NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, July 27, 2025: A federal grand jury has indicted nine individuals accused of participating in an illegal gambling conspiracy operating across six locations in southwest Missouri. Four of those charged are Georgia residents, according to federal prosecutors.
The 72-count superseding indictment, returned on May 14, 2025, names Manishkumar M. Patel, 44, of Georgia; Mitulkumar M. Barot, 40, of Georgia; Tushar R. Patel, 39, of Georgia; and Mohammed Iphtekar Ali Ajgar, 50, also of Georgia, alongside five others from Washington, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, and India. The indictment replaces an earlier one filed in December 2024 against Rahulkumar D. Patel, 40, of Washington, adding additional charges and defendants.
Federal authorities allege the defendants were involved in running illegal gambling operations at multiple Missouri locations. Details of the specific activities have not been disclosed publicly, but prosecutors said the alleged conspiracy impacted local communities and economies where the operations were based.
According to the indictment, the defendants ran illegal gambling businesses under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades, and adult arcades.
The federal indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“Illegal gambling operations affect the citizens of the neighborhoods and communities where they are located as well as the local economy,” said Acting United States Attorney Jeff Ray in a statement. “This case is an example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to tackle organized criminal activity.”
The superseding indictment was unsealed in July following several arrests ahead of arraignments scheduled for July 23 and 24 in federal court in Springfield, Missouri.
The defendants face multiple charges, and if convicted, potential penalties could include significant prison time and fines.
Cover photo: Tushar R. Patel of Georgia.
