Former Police Officials Receive Five-Year Sentences for Visa Fraud Scheme
Three former Louisiana law enforcement officials have been sentenced to federal prison terms for their involvement in a visa fraud conspiracy. The scheme used false U-visa support reports and fabricated crime claims to help foreign nationals improperly obtain immigration benefits. U.S. District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. handed down five-year sentences to former Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle and former Ward 5 Marshal Michael Slaney. Both men were also ordered to pay $30,000 fines and are scheduled to report to prison on October 28, 2026.
Federal and State Penalties for Tebo Onishea
Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea received the same five-year federal prison sentence. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. In addition to his federal sentence, Onishea also entered a state plea. On September 14, 2026, he received a five-year sentence at hard labor for malfeasance in office in Rapides Parish. This state sentence will run at the same time as his federal sentence.
The table below outlines the sentences and reporting dates for the officials involved:
| Defendant | Federal Sentence | Additional Penalty | Reporting or Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Doyle | 5 years in federal prison | $30,000 fine | October 28, 2026 |
| Michael Slaney | 5 years in federal prison | $30,000 fine | October 28, 2026 |
| Tebo Onishea | 5 years in federal prison | Five-year state sentence at hard labor, concurrent | October 21, 2026 |
Onishea is set to begin serving his state sentence on October 21, 2026. While the federal and state cases address the same underlying actions, they proceeded as separate legal matters.
Details of the Visa Fraud Conspiracy
Federal prosecutors stated that the officials submitted false statements to support immigration applications between September 27, 2023, and December 26, 2024. The broader conspiracy was alleged to have operated from December 2015 through July 2025. The core of the case involved police reports created to back U visa applications. U visas are available to victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement investigations.
Fabricated Reports Used to Create False Victim Status
The scheme allegedly used fake armed-robbery reports and other untrue statements to make foreign nationals appear eligible for immigration benefits. This practice turned local law enforcement records into supporting documents for immigration filings. The prosecution therefore combined an immigration fraud case with a public corruption case involving local law enforcement officials. The reports falsely claimed that applicants had suffered crimes they did not actually experience. This was not a simple mistake on a visa application; it involved alleged false documentation from law enforcement related to claims of victimization.
Other Individuals Indicted in the Scheme
Federal authorities also identified Chandrakant Patel, a businessman from Oakdale, as a person applicants allegedly paid in connection with the scheme. The federal investigation also named Glynn Dixon, the former Forest Hill Police Chief. The indictment claimed that Patel offered to pay a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office employee $5,000 in February 2025. Prosecutors stated this payment was intended as a reward for creating a false police report. Onishea initially faced multiple counts, including visa fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud. His federal case concluded with a guilty plea to the conspiracy charge. Doyle and Slaney held public safety positions when they became involved in the alleged conspiracy. Their recent sentences establish the prison terms for two of the officials convicted or who admitted guilt in the federal case. Patel and Dixon were scheduled for later sentencing on October 22, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main crime committed by the former police officials?
The former police officials were involved in a conspiracy to commit visa fraud by submitting false reports to support immigration applications.
What kind of immigration benefit was the scheme trying to help people get?
The scheme aimed to help foreign nationals improperly obtain U visas, which are for victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement.
What were the sentences given to the former police officials?
Chad Doyle, Michael Slaney, and Tebo Onishea were each sentenced to five years in federal prison.
Were there any other penalties besides prison time?
Yes, Chad Doyle and Michael Slaney were each ordered to pay a $30,000 fine, and Tebo Onishea received a concurrent five-year state sentence for malfeasance in office.
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