Multiple Louisiana law enforcement officials, including two city police chiefs, have been charged following an FBI investigation into a visa fraud and bribery scheme that allegedly helped immigrants avoid deportation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Louisiana’s Western District announced that Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Forrest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, and former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea are implicated in a conspiracy to secure nonimmigrant “U visas” by filing false police reports describing fake violent crimes against immigrants, in exchange for thousands of dollars.
Also charged are Oakdale City Marshall Michael Slaney and businessman Chandrakant Patel.
The U nonimmigrant status protects certain immigrant crime victims in the U.S. from deportation.
A grand jury indicted Doyle, Dixon, Onishea, Slaney, and Patel this week. According to the indictments, immigrants seeking U visas allegedly contacted Patel, who arranged for them to be named as “victims” in police reports falsely claiming armed robbery. Immigrants paid Patel thousands to persuade law enforcement officials to produce false reports and certify supporting documents for their visa applications. The officials were allegedly compensated for their participation.
The scheme reportedly spanned nearly a decade and continued until last month.
Charges include conspiracy to commit visa fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering for the officers; Patel also faces bribery charges.
If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison for conspiracy charges, up to ten years for visa fraud, up to 20 years for mail fraud, and Patel faces an additional 10 years for bribery. They also risk fines up to $250,000 per count. Federal authorities have moved to seize personal property including bank accounts and vehicles.
The investigation was led by the Homeland Security Task Force, created under the Trump administration to enhance immigration enforcement efforts. President Trump has emphasized deportations since returning to office and supports efforts to tighten U visa protections to prevent abuse.
