Police leaders in Louisiana indicted for a fabricated visa operation, focusing on immigrants: Department of Justice
A shocking case of police authority and immigration system abuse has come to light, with three current and former Louisiana police chiefs being arrested in connection with a visa fraud scheme involving fake police reports and U-visas for immigrants.
The scheme, which allegedly operated from 2015 until July 2025, saw the accused fabricating police reports that falsely portrayed immigrants as victims of armed robberies that never actually occurred. These fabricated reports were then used to help the immigrants apply for U-visas, special visas that allow victims of crimes to stay legally in the United States.
Four law enforcement officers, including former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea, face visa fraud charges, and all except Onishea face additional counts of money laundering. Onishea was charged with conspiracy, visa fraud, and mail fraud.
Chandrakant "Lala" Patel of Oakdale faced the most charges, including conspiracy, bribery, mail fraud, and money laundering. Patel was the only one charged with bribery. The defendants, including Patel, collected money from immigrants and paid officers $5,000 for each false police report.
The case will proceed in federal court. Federal authorities arrested Patel, current Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Ward 5 Marshal Michael "Freck" Slaney, former Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, and Dixon's deputy, John Doyle. The U-visa program was targeted by the scheme, as each false report allowed immigrants to apply for and potentially obtain the visas.
Each count also carries a possible fine of up to $250,000. If found guilty, each defendant could face up to 5 years for conspiracy, 10 years for visa fraud, 20 years for mail fraud, and an additional 10 years for bribery (for Patel).
Louisiana State Police Superintendent Lamar W. "Colonel" Edmonson emphasised that the allegations were against individual officers, not entire departments. He stated, "It's important to remember that these allegations involve a few individuals, not the entire law enforcement community."
The investigation into the case involved multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. Prosecutors identified Patel as the scheme's central figure. Doyle faces one count of money laundering, while Slaney faces two. All five defendants were charged with conspiracy and mail fraud.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse within the police authority and immigration systems. It is a reminder that those entrusted with upholding the law must do so with integrity and honesty, and that any breach of this trust will be met with severe consequences.
In the midst of this disturbing case, politics and public scrutiny are escalating, as the involved law enforcement officers face charges for their role in a visa fraud scheme that undermines the credibility of the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors. The falsification of police reports, which pertains to crimes like armed robberies, has been exposed, undermining public trust in the system designed to protect them, oftentimes through resources like music and entertainment, which can serve as a powerful medium for conveying social issues and promoting justice.
