News Summary
Five individuals, including three police chiefs and a businessman, have been indicted on multiple counts including conspiracy and immigration fraud in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The scheme, which allegedly involved creating false police reports to aid immigrants in obtaining U-Visas, cost around $5,000 per report. The indictment reveals extensive fraudulent activities over nearly a decade, raising concerns about law enforcement integrity and highlighting vulnerabilities in the U-Visa program. The investigation was led by multiple federal agencies following a tip from Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Five individuals, including three police chiefs and a businessman, have been indicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy and immigration fraud, related to a scheme that involved falsified police reports aimed at aiding immigrants in securing U nonimmigrant status (U-Visa). The indictment includes a total of 62 charges against the defendants: Chad Doyle, Oakdale Police Chief; Glynn Dixon, Forest Hill Police Chief; Tebo Onishea, former Glenmora Police Chief; Michael Slaney, marshal in the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office; and Chandrakant Patel, an Oakdale businessman.
The allegations were disclosed by Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook during a press conference held on July 16, 2025. The scheme reportedly extended from December 2015 until July 2025, during which time immigrants would pay Patel, who then allegedly bribed the involved police chiefs to create bogus incident reports that inaccurately labeled immigrants as victims of crimes. Each fraudulent report was allegedly sold for approximately $5,000.
Authorities noted an “unusual concentration” of robbery reports involving victims who were not residents of Louisiana, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the claims. Van Hook indicated that the robbery incidents referenced in the reports did not occur, further confirming the fraudulent nature of the scheme.
According to the indictment, from September 27, 2023, to December 26, 2024, the defendants knowingly submitted false statements, declaring specific individuals as cooperating victims of crimes. The severity of the charges suggests that if convicted, the defendants could face significant prison sentences: up to five years for conspiracy, ten years for visa fraud, and up to 20 years for mail fraud, along with potential fines reaching $250,000 per count.
The U-Visa program is designed to protect victims of certain types of crimes who have suffered abuse and are willing to aid in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported vulnerabilities to fraud within the U-Visa program, leading to audits that identified various deficiencies, including the manipulation seen in this case.
Following a tip from Citizenship and Immigration Services, the investigation was carried out by multiple authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the IRS. Arrests were conducted at a Baton Rouge hotel during the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police conference, and law enforcement also searched several police departments and Patel’s Subway franchise.
Officials clarified that the indictments do not imply widespread corruption within the police departments involved, emphasizing that the actions of the accused individuals do not reflect the integrity of all officers. The indictment also includes charges of sending fraudulent documents through the U.S. Postal Service, contributing to the mail fraud component of the case.
This alleged fraud scheme has reportedly been active for nearly a decade, with authorities identifying “hundreds of names” related to the false reports. Immigrants seeking U-Visas reportedly reached out to Patel, who acted as a go-between to facilitate the creation of the deceptive reports in collaboration with law enforcement personnel.
Despite Louisiana not sharing a border with any foreign country, the local area does host several immigration detention facilities, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. Van Hook conveyed concern regarding how the actions of those charged could undermine the reputation of law enforcement officials who uphold ethical standards.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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