Community Corner

Around the Region: 'South Will Rise Agin,' Occupy Atlanta Gets Extension and Two Sentenced for Work Visa Fraud

A look at stories from across Metro Atlanta and northeast Georgia.

– Barrow Patch

A deputy with the Barrow County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a residence on Mitchell Drive in Winder on Oct. 9 in reference to a report of racial slurs painted on the roadway.

Upon arrival, the deputy observed “KKK IS BACK” and a racial slur spray painted in red in the middle of the road about 50 feet from the intersection with Roxey Maxey Road.

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The following day, a second deputy was dispatched to the same residence. The complainant told the deputy a neighbor had seen new graffiti on the roadway that read, “The south will rise agin.”

A county maintenance worker had covered up the graffiti before the deputy arrived.

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

– East Atlanta Patch

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed extended the deadline by which the Occupy Atlanta protesters have to leave Woodruff Park in Downtown to Nov. 7.

The mayor had previously said they were to leave by Oct. 17.

"Civil disobedience is an appropriate form of expression, provided that it is peaceful, non-violent and lawful," Reed said in a statement. "As of today, the Occupy Atlanta protesters continue to assemble in a peaceful, non-violent fashion in Robert W. Woodruff Park. Therefore, I have extended the Executive Order allowing Occupy Atlanta to remain in Woodruff Park after the park closes."

The mayor stressed public safety remains a priority and that the city is "prepared to act swiftly should the situation in the park so warrant."

 

– Alpharetta Patch

Two Alpharetta residents were sentenced in federal court on Oct. 17 for their roles in a conspiracy to harbor aliens in violation of the law.

Parmesh Dixit, 41, and Punyapriya Patel, 37, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie Carnes.

Dixit is an immigration attorney who made more than $1 million by submitting fraudulent applications for a specialized visa program for executives of foreign companies, said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

Dixit conspired with Patel, a paralegal in his law office, and Hitesh Desai, 47, of Duluth, owner of “Intelli Infotek,” a software development and consultant company previously located in Duluth, and with others, to assist aliens seeking visas that would allow them to enter or remain in the United States and work here. Desai and his company were indicted along with Dixit and Patel on Jan. 25. Desai fled the United States and is considered a fugitive.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here