Indictment of Louisiana Police Chiefs Over Scheme to Fabricate Crime Reports for Immigration Benefits

Three current or former police officials in Louisiana are among five individuals charged in a scheme involving false police reports. These reports alleged crimes against immigrants, enabling them to qualify for U-visa status, which can lead to potential citizenship benefits.

US Attorney Alexander Van Hook announced that the accused received bribes of approximately $5,000 per false report, with an estimated hundreds of such reports being filed. The scheme targeted immigrants, claiming their involvement in crimes—many of which never occurred—to obtain U-visas for them. These visas are designed for individuals who suffer physical or mental abuse or assist law enforcement in criminal investigations.

The five individuals charged include Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, ex-Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea, Oakdale Marshal Michael “Freck” Slaney, and local businessman Chandrakant “Lala” Patel. As of the indictment, two of the ex-chiefs have been taken into custody.

The grand jury in Shreveport charged the men with multiple counts, including conspiracy, visa fraud, bribery, mail fraud, and money laundering. Authorities noted a suspicious pattern of reports about armed robberies involving non-Louisiana residents—incidents which never actually happened.

Prosecutors revealed that the accused received hundreds of false reports, with several suspects now under arrest. The U-visa program, which enabled many to stay legally in the U.S., is intended for victims of crime who assist law enforcement, but it has been flagged for abuse and fraud attempts.

Louisiana hosts numerous Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, with roughly 7,000 inmates, many of whom are awaiting deportation proceedings.