LAFAYETTE – On November 9, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. sentenced Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, 40, of Oakdale, to 120 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud and Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Unlawful Activity. Patel previously pled guilty to the charges on May 28, 2026. Upon completion of his sentence, Patel will be removed from the United States.
Four other defendants were also sentenced for their roles in the visa fraud conspiracy.
On September 2, 2026, Tebo Onishea, 39, of Glenmora, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, followed by two years of supervised release. Onishea previously pled guilty to the charge on May 28, 2026.
On September 15, 2026, Chad Doyle, 56, of Oakdale, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, and ordered…
Trust your gut feeling—if a transaction or a conversation feels pressured, overly emotional, or “off,” stop all communication immediately and seek a second opinion from a trusted friend or professional.