Oakdale Visa Fraud Ringleader Sentenced in U-Visa Fraud Scheme

A federal judge sentenced Oakdale, Louisiana, businessman Chandrakant “Lala” Patel to 120 months in prison on November 9, 2026, for leading a U-Visa Fraud scheme. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Visa Fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.

Glynn Dixon, a former Forest Hill police chief, received 60 months that same day. The case ended with five federal sentences, but a state malfeasance case against Dixon remains scheduled for November 16, 2026.

Patel will be removed from the United States after completing his prison term. He pleaded guilty on May 28, 2026. Dixon pleaded guilty on June 30, 2026, and received a $30,000 fine and two years of supervised release in addition to his prison term.

The other three defendants were sentenced in September. All four former officials pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

A U-visa is an immigration benefit for certain noncitizens who are victims of qualifying crimes and assist law enforcement. The Justice Department’s announcement identifies the five defendants and their penalties.

Patel received 10 years; the four officials received five

False robbery reports and official certifications underpinned the scheme

Court documents place the scheme between about November 2020 and July 2025. Patel recruited foreign nationals seeking legal status and took payments to have them falsely identified as victims in invented armed-robbery reports.

He then paid four local public servants to produce false police reports and certify immigration paperwork supporting fraudulent U-visa applications. Onishea led the Glenmora police department; Doyle led Oakdale’s department; Slaney served as marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale; and Dixon led Forest Hill’s police department.

Patel admitted in court papers that he received $20,000 from each applicant and paid the officials $5,000 for each false report. The defendants sent fraudulent documents through the U.S. mail and other interstate carriers.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana announced the sentences. In August, Keller described the conduct as “public corruption on a pretty epic scale.” He said the U-visa program was built to help violent-crime victims who may fear reporting crimes to police.

Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Fraud Detection and National Security Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Nickel and Danny Siefker prosecuted it.

Onishea is serving a state term as Dixon’s arraignment approaches

Onishea also pleaded guilty on September 14 to state malfeasance in office in the 9th Judicial District Court. He received a five-year state sentence and began serving it alongside his federal term on October 21.

Dixon is scheduled to appear for arraignment on a felony state malfeasance charge on November 16, 2026. The date is based on Rapides Parish Clerk of Court records.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.