(The Center Square) − Five central Louisiana men — including four current or former law enforcement officials — have been indicted on federal conspiracy and fraud charges tied to an alleged years-long scheme to submit false immigration applications for financial gain.
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana returned a 62-count indictment charging Oakdale business owner Chandrakant “Lala” Patel and four police officials with visa fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.
The law enforcement officials include Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Ward 5 Marshal Michael “Freck” Slaney, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon and former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea.
Prosecutors allege that between 2015 and 2025, the defendants created and certified fraudulent police reports to help foreign nationals fraudulently apply for U-Visas, a special immigration benefit for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.
According to the indictment, individuals paid Patel thousands of dollars to be falsely named as victims of armed robberies in fabricated reports. The law enforcement officials allegedly signed official U-Visa certification forms affirming the claims, despite knowing no crimes had occurred.
Patel faces additional charges of bribery after allegedly offering a $5,000 payment to a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy in exchange for a false police report.
The scheme involved the mailing of fraudulent immigration documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and included efforts to launder money through bank accounts and property.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for mail fraud, 10 years for visa fraud, and five years for conspiracy, with additional penalties and asset forfeiture of bank accounts, property and vehicles possible, including fines up to $250,000 on each count.
The case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a federal initiative targeting immigration fraud and transnational crime. It is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
