Federal authorities have arrested Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, a Louisiana Subway franchise owner, along with three current or former police chiefs, over their alleged roles in a decade-long visa fraud scheme.
The group is accused of helping hundreds of undocumented Indian immigrants secure U visas—intended for crime victims—by fabricating armed robbery reports for $5,000 each.
According to a 62-count federal indictment, Patel paid Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, Glenmora former chief Tebo Onishea, and Oakdale Marshal Michael “Freck” Slaney to create false crime reports listing immigrants as victims of armed robberies. These bogus filings allowed the immigrants to apply for U visas—a path that can lead to legal residency .
“These weren’t just exaggerations — the armed robberies never happened,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook. “Yet, these fake reports were used to manipulate a system designed to protect real victims.”
Hundreds of fraudulent applications were reportedly submitted. Patel and his co-conspirators each face charges of conspiracy, visa fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, while Patel also confronts a bribery charge. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 fines per count.
U visas are designed for undocumented victims of serious crimes who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them—and sometimes their families—to gain legal status.
Investigators say this scheme not only subverted the program but also eroded trust in both immigration and law enforcement systems.
The scandal came to light when USCIS fraud detection officers noticed suspicious patterns in U visa applications—documents approved despite inconsistencies, forged signatures, and unlikely crime reports.
The federal investigation, part of Operation Take Back America, involved multiple federal agencies, including USCIS and Homeland Security.
Seized evidence and financial records traced payments from Patel to law enforcement officials and hundreds of visa beneficiaries.
Patel—who also allegedly paid cops to produce fake reports for family members—reported paying out more than $250,000 via checks, wire transfers, and real-estate transactions linked to the fraud.
No formal charges have been announced against the immigrants who benefited from the scheme. Officials stated the focus remains on those orchestrating the fraud, though visa holders may be reviewed individually .
Patel and the four law enforcement officers were arrested this week—three were detained at a police conference in Baton Rouge. All are expected to appear at a federal court hearing in Lafayette later this summer.
