News Summary
A shocking visa fraud scheme has been uncovered in Louisiana involving four law enforcement officials, including two active police chiefs. They are accused of creating fake police reports to help immigrants fraudulently obtain U.S. visas. The operation allegedly spanned years, with fabricated incidents claiming armed robberies to support visa applications. Charges range from conspiracy and visa fraud to money laundering, with significant prison time possible for those involved. The scrutiny is now on the U visa program’s integrity as investigations continue, highlighting the critical need for accountability in law enforcement.
Shocking Visa Fraud Scheme Involving Police Chiefs Uncovered in Louisiana
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, four law enforcement officials in Louisiana, including two active police chiefs, have found themselves in serious trouble. They’re facing charges related to an alleged visa fraud scheme that included the creation of fake police reports to help immigrants dishonest obtain U.S. visas. It sounds like something out of a crime drama, but unfortunately, it’s all too real.
Who’s Involved?
The individuals caught in this tangled web include:
- Chandrakant Patel, a Louisiana businessman
- Chad Doyle, the current Police Chief of Oakdale
- Glynn Dixon, the current Police Chief of Forest Hill
- Tebo Onishea, a former Police Chief in Glenmora
- Michael Slaney, a marshal at the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office
How Did They Pull It Off?
From December 26, 2015, to at least July 15, 2025, this clique allegedly worked together to concoct false police reports stating that immigrants were victims of armed robberies. They created these fictional incidents as a way to help immigrants secure U visas, which are specifically designed for crime victims and witnesses, allowing them to assist law enforcement in prosecuting offenses.
It appears that those seeking assistance would reach out to Patel or his associates, and in return, Patel was reportedly offering a tidy sum of $5,000 for each false name that was included in the fabricated reports.
The Unusual Spike in Armed Robberies
Interestingly, the indictment notes an unusual concentration of these reported armed robberies connected to individuals not from Louisiana, raising eyebrows – mainly because those robberies never actually happened. Evidence suggests that hundreds of names might have been involved in these fraudulent claims, making it quite the operation.
Charges and Consequences
The repercussions for the accused are no small matter. The charges range from visa fraud to mail fraud, with the potential for prison time mounting significantly:
- Patel is facing a host of charges: one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, one count of bribery, 24 counts of mail fraud, and eight counts of money laundering.
- Doyle and Dixon each face one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, alongside six counts of visa fraud, six counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering.
- Slaney’s facing similar charges with one count of conspiracy and six counts each of visa and mail fraud, plus two counts of money laundering.
- Onishea also is charged with one count of conspiracy and six counts each of visa and mail fraud.
The conspiracy charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to five years while the visa fraud counts could bring sentences of up to ten years each. Meanwhile, mail fraud counts can result in hefty fines of up to $250,000 and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
This scheme has prompted a serious investigation, with law enforcement digging into the extent of the fraud and possibly identifying even more individuals involved. Two police chiefs were arrested at a conference in Baton Rouge, and investigators executed a significant number of search warrants – almost 200 law enforcement officers were involved, making this a considerable operation.
Context: U Visa Program
The U visa program, established back in October 2000, was intended to protect vulnerable crime victims and provide them a means to legally remain in the U.S. and support law enforcement efforts. However, whispers of fraud have surfaced, indicating that the program may not have been effectively managed. In the last fiscal year, around 10,000 U visas were issued, but challenges remain and the integrity of the process is now under scrutiny.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities that come with public service and the need for transparency and accountability in all levels of law enforcement.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- New York Times: Louisiana Police Visa Fraud
- CBS News: Louisiana Police Chiefs Fabricated Reports
- CNN: Louisiana Police Chiefs Arrested in Bribery Scheme
- AP News: Louisiana Police Chiefs Charged with Visa Fraud
- NBC News: Louisiana Police Chiefs Federally Charged
- Wikipedia: U Visa
- Google Search: Visa Fraud United States
- Google Scholar: Visa Fraud Criminal Justice
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Visa
- Google News: Louisiana Police Visa Fraud
