Charleston, West Virginia, USA: Discover the details of Aakash Makwana’s guilty plea in a marriage fraud case, facing prison, fines, and deportation. Learn more about immigration law enforcement.
Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 29-year-old Indian citizen living illegally in West Virginia, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft linked to a marriage fraud scheme aimed at bypassing U.S. immigration laws. After overstaying his J-1 visa, Makwana paid $10,000 to a U.S. citizen, Kalee Ann Huff, and married her in 2021 to obtain a Green Card. He fabricated documents, including a fake lease and forged signatures, to prove a bona fide marriage. When the immigration petition was denied, he filed a fraudulent domestic abuse claim to improve his chances of residency.
Makwana faces a mandatory two-year prison sentence, up to one year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and deportation. Huff and her brother-in-law, Joseph Sanchez, also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme and await sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, with investigations by Homeland Security and USCIS, highlighting efforts to enforce immigration laws and prevent fraud. Sentencing for Makwana is set for September 26, 2025.
