A federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana has indicted five men, including current and former law enforcement officers and a business owner, for allegedly participating in a scheme to falsify police reports in support of immigration applications.

The 62-count indictment, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook along with officials from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the IRS, charges the defendants with conspiracy, visa fraud, mail fraud, bribery, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege the group worked to help foreign nationals fraudulently obtain U-visas, which are intended for noncitizens who assist law enforcement as victims of qualifying crimes.

The alleged scheme operated from December 2015 to July 2025 and involved the creation of numerous false police reports that claimed individuals had been victims of armed robbery. Investigators say those incidents never occurred. In exchange for payments of approximately $5,000 per person, the defendants are accused of producing and certifying fabricated reports that allowed individuals to apply for immigration relief through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The defendants and their charges are:

• Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, a business owner in Oakdale, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, one count of bribery, 24 counts of mail fraud, and eight counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege Patel coordinated payments and recruited individuals to be named in false reports.

• Chad Doyle, Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, six counts of visa fraud, six counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering.

• Michael “Freck” Slaney, Marshal of Ward 5 in Oakdale, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, six counts of visa fraud, six counts of mail fraud, and two counts of money laundering.

• Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill, faces one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, six counts of visa fraud, six counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering.

• Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, six counts of visa fraud, and six counts of mail fraud.

According to the indictment, the group produced and certified false reports naming foreign nationals, many of whom lived outside Louisiana, as robbery victims. These reports were used to support immigration applications, including Form I-918 and Supplement B certifications signed by officers under penalty of perjury. Prosecutors allege the officers knew the crimes had not occurred.

The indictment also states that in February 2025, Patel offered a $5,000 payment to an agent with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office in exchange for a fabricated report from that agency.

To support the fraudulent applications, the defendants allegedly sent false documents through postal and courier services to USCIS processing centers. Prosecutors say these actions account for more than two dozen mail fraud charges. The indictment also includes financial transactions involving alleged criminal proceeds, including real estate acquisitions, vehicle purchases, and bank transfers.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy, up to ten years for each visa fraud charge, and up to twenty years for each count of mail fraud. Patel faces an additional ten years if convicted on the bribery charge. Each count also carries a potential fine of up to $250,000. Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of cash, property, and other assets tied to the alleged conduct.

The investigation was conducted under Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative established by Executive Order 14159 to address immigration fraud and related offenses.