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Georgia-based Indian national admits role in illegal gambling ring
Tushar Patel was among nine people charged in a 72-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 28, May 2026
- 00:44 EDT
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Representative image / Pexels
An Indian national pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy that operated across southwest Missouri, federal prosecutors said.
Tushar R. Patel, 40, a Georgia resident, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Federal prosecutors said Patel and his co-conspirators obtained about $9.5 million in gross proceeds through illegal gambling businesses and related wire fraud schemes. Prosecutors said the group later conducted financial transactions to launder the proceeds.
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Patel was among nine people charged in a 72-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri, on May 14, 2025. According to court documents, the defendants were accused of participating in conspiracies to commit wire fraud and operate illegal gambling businesses between July 1, 2022, and May 13, 2025.
Authorities alleged the group operated illegal gambling businesses at four locations disguised as internet amusement arcades, skill game arcades and adult arcades. Prosecutors said the businesses used contests of chance, gambling devices and slot machines in violation of Missouri and federal law.
In addition to the conspiracy charges, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, while eight defendants also faced money laundering charges.
Patel faces maximum prison terms of 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five years for conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and several Missouri law enforcement agencies.
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