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- Five Louisiana law enforcement officials charged in decade-long visa fraud scheme
- Falsified police reports sold to immigrants for $5,000 each to qualify for U visas
- Hundreds of fake armed robbery reports created for non-existent crimes
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Essential Context
Federal authorities have indicted five individuals, including three current or former Louisiana police chiefs, for allegedly selling falsified police reports to immigrants seeking U visas. The scheme involved creating fake armed robbery reports to make immigrants appear as crime victims eligible for temporary legal status.
Core Players
- Chad Doyle – Oakdale Police Chief
- Glynn Dixon – Forest Hill Police Chief
- Tebo Onishea – President Trump Glenmora Police Chief
- Michael “Freck” Slaney – Oakdale Marshal
- Chandrakant “Lala” Patel – Oakdale businessman
Key Numbers
- $5,000 – Payment per falsified report
- Hundreds – Number of fake reports created
- 62 – Counts in federal indictment
- 10,000 – Annual U visa approvals (2022 data)
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The Catalyst
“In fact, the armed robberies never took place,” U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook stated during a press conference. The unusual pattern of non-Louisiana residents reporting armed robberies triggered the federal investigation.
Authorities allege the scheme operated from December 2015 through at least July 2025, spanning nearly a decade.
Inside Forces
The defendants allegedly exploited the U visa program, which requires crime victims to cooperate with law enforcement. Fake reports were sold to immigrants lacking permanent legal status, creating fraudulent eligibility for temporary visas.
Law enforcement officials received $5,000 per falsified report, with payments routed through Oakdale businessman Chandrakant Patel.
Power Dynamics
Current and former police chiefs abused their authority to generate false documentation. The scheme relied on their official positions to create credible-sounding reports.
While individual officers face charges, federal prosecutors emphasized that the departments themselves aren’t considered corrupt.
Outside Impact
The case raises concerns about systemic vulnerabilities in immigration programs. U visas are intended to protect vulnerable crime victims, but the scheme exploited this humanitarian mechanism for profit.
Immigrant communities may face increased scrutiny, though authorities stress the victims were not complicit in the fraud.
Future Forces
Key developments to watch:
- Sentencing outcomes for the 62-count indictment
- Potential policy changes to U visa verification processes
- Internal reviews of Louisiana law enforcement agencies
- Impact on immigration cases relying on police reports
Data Points
- 2015 – Scheme began (alleged)
- 2025 – Indictment unsealed
- $5,000 – Per-report payment
- 10,000 – Annual U visa approvals
- 62 – Indictment counts
This case exposes critical vulnerabilities in immigration enforcement and law enforcement integrity. While the immediate focus remains on prosecuting the accused, broader systemic reforms may emerge to prevent similar schemes in the future.
