Louisiana Police Chiefs and Subway Operator Accused of Falsifying Police Reports for Visa Fraud

Strategic Insights -

A group of current and former Louisiana police chiefs, including Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle and Police Chief Glynn Dixon of Forest Hill, Louisiana, are accused of colluding in a decade-long scheme with the operator of a Subway sandwich shop to falsify police reports to help foreign nationals obtain visas meant for crime victims or witnesses. The scheme allegedly took place from December 2015 to July 2025, with the defendants creating false police reports claiming dozens of people were victims of crimes. The Subway operator allegedly paid $5,000 to officers to create these false reports.

Key Takeaways:

  • The scheme involved two police chiefs, a former police chief, a marshal, and the Subway operator, charging them with bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and immigration fraud.
  • The scheme focused on getting U visas, which allow foreign nationals without official status in the US to stay in the country in certain circumstances when they're victims of or witnesses to crimes.
  • The US limits the number of U visas that can be issued, and fraudulent applications can prevent legitimate crime victims or witnesses from getting a visa.
  • The Subway operator allegedly paid $5,000 to officers to create false police reports, which were used to submit fraudulent visa applications to the United States government.
  • The investigation involves hundreds of visa applicants, with the possibility that hundreds of visas were approved as a result of the scheme.
  • The defendants and charges include:

+ Chandrakant "Lala" Patel, Subway sandwich store operator, charged with bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

+ Chad Doyle, Oakdale Police Chief, charged with visa fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

+ Michael "Freck" Slaney, marshal in Oakdale, charged with visa fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

+ Glynn Dixon, Police Chief of Forest Hill, Louisiana, charged with visa fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

+ Tebo Onishea, former police chief of Glenmora, Louisiana, charged with visa fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

  • If convicted, the defendants could face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges, and up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge.

Statistics:

  • The scheme allegedly took place from December 2015 to July 2025, spanning a decade.
  • The Subway operator allegedly paid $5,000 to officers to create false police reports.
  • Over 200 law enforcement officers executed 11 search warrants as part of the investigation.
  • Hundreds of visa applicants may be involved in the scheme, with the possibility that hundreds of visas were approved.
  • The investigation is ongoing, and it's not clear how many people will be charged or convicted.

Sources:

  • CNN: "Louisiana police chiefs, Subway operator accused of visa fraud scheme"
  • US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana: "Two Police Chiefs, Former Police Chief, Marshal and Subway Owner Indicted for Visa Fraud and Other Charges"
  • Louisiana State Police: "Three Indicted in connection with alleged visa fraud scheme"
  • Homeland Security Investigations: "HSI Agents Serve 11 Search Warrants in Louisiana"