Four Law Enforcement Officials in Louisiana Plead Guilty to Visa Fraud Scheme
In a significant case, four high-ranking law enforcement officials from Louisiana have acknowledged their roles in a lengthy visa fraud operation involving Indian immigrants. This scheme enabled illegal aliens to gain legal immigration status for cash payments.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller remarked on June 30 that this disgraceful fraud jeopardized community safety and eroded trust in the immigration system, all for personal gain.
Among those who pleaded guilty is Glyn Dixon, the former Police Chief of Forest Hill. Other officials include Tebo Onissia, the Glenmora Police Chief; Chad Doyle, Chief of the Oakdale Police; and Marshal Michael Slaney of Oakdale Ward 5. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana stated that these men face charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and mail fraud, potentially leading to a five-year prison sentence.
Chandrakant Patel, identified as the ringleader of the operation, has also been charged. As an Indian national, Patel faces a more severe penalty—up to 20 years in a federal prison—if he is found guilty.
This operation exploited the U-Visa program, established by Congress in 2000. The program allows immigrants to gain legal residency if they report serious crimes, encouraging a safer environment for communities by alleviating the fear of deportation. It also aims to assist police in capturing criminals in scenarios where witness support is lacking.
However, prosecutors allege that Patel collaborated with the four state police officials to defraud the system.
Details of the scam suggest it began around December 2015 and continued until investigators started arresting key players in 2025. Patel reportedly worked with law enforcement to create fictitious reports of armed robberies that never actually happened. These reports, filed under the names of undocumented immigrants, allowed them to apply for U visas to secure permanent residency, with Patel being compensated thousands for each fabricated report. If federal agencies sought confirmation, the law enforcement partners were expected to authenticate these false reports. Additionally, many documents were allegedly mailed, bringing in the mail fraud charges.
Keller emphasized that these guilty pleas reveal the extensive corruption unveiled during this investigation, expressing confidence in seeking prison sentences that reflect the severity of the offenders’ actions.
According to Jonathan Tapp, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans office, Patel and his co-conspirators not only compromised the assistance meant for true victims of violent crimes, but they also brought fraudulent charges into the immigration process. He assured that the FBI remains committed to collaborating with federal partners to bring those engaging in such corrupt activities to justice.
Moreover, Patel is also accused of attempting to bribe an employee at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office with $5,000 to file a false armed robbery report in February 2025.
