Law enforcement officials and a business owner in central Louisiana have been thrust into the spotlight following their arrests in connection with an elaborate visa fraud conspiracy. Acting U.S. Attorney Alex Van Hook has unveiled shocking details about the scheme that has rocked multiple police departments across the state.

According to KLFY, a federal grand jury has indicted five individuals, including four current and former police chiefs, on multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and visa fraud to money laundering. The investigation has revealed a complex operation involving falsified police reports and substantial financial transactions.

The scheme centered around the creation of fraudulent police reports that falsely identified immigrants as crime victims to help them qualify for U-visas. These visas are typically reserved for genuine crime victims who assist law enforcement in investigations, but in this case, the system was allegedly exploited for financial gain.

High-Ranking Officers Face Serious Criminal Charges

Chief Chad Doyle of Oakdale Police Department, Marshal Michael Slaney of Ward 5, Chief Glynn Dixon of Forest Hill, and former Chief Tebo Onishea of Glenmora are among those charged in the 62-count indictment. The officers allegedly received $5,000 for each falsified report they produced, creating documentation for hundreds of individuals.

Business owner Chandrakant Patel of Oakdale faces the most extensive list of charges, including conspiracy to commit visa fraud, bribery, mail fraud, and money laundering. Investigators discovered that Patel allegedly acted as the central figure in the operation, coordinating between immigrants seeking visas and the law enforcement officials.

The scheme operated from September 2023 through December 2024, during which time the officers knowingly submitted false statements certifying individuals as cooperating crime victims. This systematic fraud has potentially compromised the integrity of the U-visa program, which was designed to protect genuine crime victims.

Investigation Reveals Extensive Network of Corruption

Federal agents from ICE and the FBI conducted raids on multiple police departments and a Subway restaurant owned by Patel. The coordinated operation demonstrated the extensive reach of the investigation and the serious nature of the allegations.

Acting U.S. Attorney Van Hook emphasized that hundreds of fraudulent visa applications were approved through this scheme. The investigation uncovered an unusual pattern of reported armed robberies involving non-Louisiana residents, which ultimately led to the discovery of the conspiracy.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill indicated that additional state charges may be forthcoming, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation. The case has sparked concerns about the integrity of law enforcement and immigration processes in the region.

U-Visa Program Under Increased Scrutiny

The U-visa program, which grants approximately 10,000 visas annually, has been under scrutiny since a 2021 audit by the Office of Inspector General. The audit revealed significant vulnerabilities in the system's fraud prevention measures.

The investigation found that USCIS administrators had failed to address critical deficiencies in their verification processes, including inadequate cross-referencing of law enforcement signatures. This oversight may have contributed to the success of the alleged fraud scheme.

The backlog in U-visa processing, which can extend up to ten years, has also been identified as a significant problem that may have inadvertently created opportunities for exploitation. These systemic issues have raised questions about the program's overall effectiveness and security.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores how easily public trust can be lost when those in power abuse it. It reminds us that immigration systems, when manipulated, extend far-reaching consequences for vulnerable populations. Highlighting this case helps the community demand higher standards of integrity from both public servants and private actors.

Conclusion

In summary, a 62-count federal indictment has been unsealed against five individuals accused of coordinating a bribery-driven, fraudulent scheme to exploit the U-Visa system. Acting U.S. Attorney Alex Van Hook announced the charges against Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea on July 17, 2025.

Between September 2023 and December 2024, the group allegedly created false police reports staging armed robbery cases to falsely support visa applications for non-citizens, often for financial kickbacks. Patel, the alleged ringleader, is accused of paying bribes and laundering money. Each defendant faces years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted. The investigation remains ongoing.