US U-Visa Fraud: Former Police Chief Sentenced to 5 Years in Fake Robbery Scam

In a major development in the Louisiana U-Visa fraud case, former Glenmora Police Chief Taboh Onishi has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for misusing his public office for personal financial gain. The case centers around a massive fake robbery racket masterminded by Gujarati businessman Chandrakant Patel, also known as "Lala." Federal prosecutors revealed that between 2015 and 2025, Patel staged multiple fake robberies at stores and gas stations in central Louisiana, bribing local police officers to file fraudulent reports. These fabricated police reports were then used to help applicants—predominantly Gujarati immigrants—falsely qualify for U-Visas, a visa category designated for victims of violent crimes. With Patel having already pleaded guilty to visa fraud and money laundering charges, authorities have also placed dozens of his clients under scrutiny, with many now facing potential deportation notices.