Several Louisiana Law Enforcement Officials And Others Arrested Yesterday

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - Several Louisiana law enforcement officials and businessmen were arrested yesterday in multiple raids across the Bayou State.

More details have emerged from the story we reported on yesterday about joint raids carried out across Louisiana by the FBI, ICE, IRS, Homeland Security, and the Louisiana State Police.

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After a year-long investigation called "Operation Take Back America", federal agents made several arrests across the state yesterday.

The Oakdale Police Chief and Marshall were indicted by federal prosecutors for exploiting the U.S. immigration system for personal profit.

The former Glenmora Police Chief, the Forest Hill Police Chief, and an Oakdale businessman and Subway restaurant owner have also been charged.

The five defendants are charged with 62 counts of immigration fraud, visa fraud, mail fraud, bribery, and money laundering in the 21-page federal indictment.

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Western Louisiana District acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook held a press conference to discuss the investigation and arrests.

He said his office and other federal agencies began the investigation over a year ago after receiving a tip from another law enforcement officer about the alleged conspiracy to fraudulently obtain hundreds of U-Visas. Hook claimed that they bought cars, real estate, and other luxuries with the money they earned from their illicit activities.

Van Hook stressed that everyone that has been indicted is presumed innocent until proven guilty during his press conference earlier today. Watch the press conference below.

For more on this story, click here.