Oakdale visa fraud scheme ringleader sentenced to 10 years in federal prison

An Oakdale businessman and four former local law enforcement leaders have been sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-year visa fraud conspiracy that exploited a federal program meant to protect crime victims. On Nov. 9, U.S. District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. sentenced Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, 40, of Oakdale to 10 years in federal prison. Patel previously pleaded guilty on May 28, to conspiracy to commit visa fraud and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. He faces removal from the United States upon completing his sentence. Four co-conspirators — all of whom held top law enforcement positions in central Louisiana at the time of the offense — were each sentenced to five years in federal prison and two years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit visa fraud: Glynn Dixon, 63, of Forest Hill, the former Chief of Police for the city of Forest Hill, was sentenced on Nov. 9 and ordered to pay a $30,000 fine. He pleaded guilty on June 30.

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