Worcester man sentenced, ordered deported in visa fraud scheme
WORCESTER — A Worcester man was sentenced Wednesday and ordered removed from the United States after being convicted in a federal visa fraud scheme involving a staged armed robbery at a local store, according to Worcester Patch and international wire reports.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Worcester Man Sentenced In Staged Robbery Visa Fraud Case" — A Worcester man from India was ordered deported after a federal judge sentenced him in a scheme that used a staged armed robbery at a Worcester store to support fraudulent U visa applications tied to multiple Massachusetts businesses, per Worcester Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/worcester-man-sentenced-staged-robbery-visa-fraud-case).
"US court sentences Indian national for visa fraud, orders deportation" — Wire reports identify the man as Mitul Patel, 40, of Worcester, sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge in Boston in connection with the same visa fraud case, according to PTI (read it at https://www.ptinews.com/story/international/us-court-sentences-indian-national-for-visa-fraud-orders-deportation/3914675).
"Worcester Man Accused Of Climbing Onto Roof Of CT Home" — A Worcester man identified as Brian Francis is facing charges after police said he climbed onto the roof of a home in Thompson, Connecticut, per Worcester Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/worcester-man-found-shirtless-roof-ct-home-police).
"Worcester Officer To Ride Fourth Pan-Mass Challenge This Weekend" — A Worcester police officer is preparing for his fourth Pan-Mass Challenge ride this weekend as part of the annual cancer-fighting fundraiser, per Worcester Patch.
"More Than 40 Restaurants Joining Worcester Restaurant Week Next Month" — Worcester Restaurant Week returns next week with two weeks of fixed-price menus at more than 40 Central Massachusetts restaurants, according to Worcester Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/more-40-restaurants-joining-worcester-restaurant-week-next-month).
"Worcester Railers Announce New Players For 2026-27 Season" — The Worcester Railers have signed five more players to ECHL contracts ahead of the team's October home opener at the DCU Center, per Worcester Patch.
"Panera is moving its headquarters to a Massachusetts town" — CBS Boston reports Panera is relocating its headquarters to Weston, a story that touches Worcester given the chain founder's past donations to Clark University (read it at https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/panera-moving-headquarters-weston-massachusetts/?ftag=CNM-00-10aag7e).
COMING UP
The Worcester Public Library will host "Sprout Your Success" on Saturday, August 1, at 3 p.m. at 3 Salem St. The 2026 Pan-Mass Challenge rolls out from the College of the Holy Cross starting at 6 a.m. that same Saturday. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass perform at The Hanover Theatre on Sunday, August 2, at 7:30 p.m. The Worcester Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, at 11 a.m. in the Saxe Room at 3 Salem St. The library's Irish Genealogy program follows Saturday, August 8, at 2:30 p.m.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.