Source: Office of United States Attorneys
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – Two men were sentenced today in the District of Minnesota after being convicted at a jury trial for their roles in an international human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of four Indian nationals, including a three-year-old and 11-year-old child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
“Every time I think about this case I think about this family—including two beautiful little children—who the defendants left to freeze to death in a blizzard,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “As we’ve seen time and time again, human traffickers care nothing for humanity. I am proud of the work of our law enforcement partners in holding these defendants accountable for their unspeakable crimes.”
“Today’s sentencing marks a crucial moment of accountability in a case that revealed the harrowing realities of human smuggling. The callous disregard for life that led to the tragic deaths of an entire family will not be forgotten,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations St. Paul Special Agent in charge Jamie Holt. “At HSI, we remain steadfast in our mission to work with out partners across borders to dismantle criminal smuggling networks, bring justice to those responsible, and safeguard human dignity.”
Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for his role in a human smuggling scheme. The Court did not impose a term of supervised release on defendant Patel, citing the likelihood that Patel will be deported following his prison sentence. Patel’s co-conspirator, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, received a sentence of 78 months followed by 2 years of supervised release.
Trial evidence showed that Patel and Shand were involved in a major human smuggling operation that brought Indian nationals into Canada using fake student visas then illegally moved them across the U.S.-Canada border. Patel handled the coordination of smuggling individuals from Manitoba into the United States, while Shand picked them up after they crossed into the U.S. and transported them to Chicago. Both men were paid for their participation and ignored the life-threatening risks posed by the frigid conditions at the northern border. Testimony revealed that the going rate to be smuggled from India to U.S. from Canada was around $100,000.
During a blizzard in January 2022, Shand and Patel, working with other co-conspirators, attempted to smuggle 11 aliens into the Unites States from Canada. Due to the storm conditions that night, Shand’s van got stuck in the snow. That turn of events forced the aliens to travel on foot for approximately seven hours in minus-36-degree wind chill and severe winter weather conditions while they searched for Shand’s vehicle. Two migrants found Shand while his van was stuck; the rest did not.
A passerby pulled Shand’s van from the ditch. Soon thereafter, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent arrived and suspected alien smuggling. Eventually, five additional aliens were located, one of whom was suffering from hypothermia so severe she had to be airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police located the bodies of a family of four, two adults and two young children, who had separated from the larger group during the night. The family died of hypothermia. The father was found still holding his infant child wrapped in a blanket. None of the 11 migrants was dressed appropriately for the severe, cold weather conditions.
In November 2024, a federal jury found both defendants guilty of multiple charges, including conspiracy to bring aliens to the Unites States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, conspiracy to transport aliens within the Unites States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, attempted transportation of aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain, and aiding and abetting the attempted transportation of aliens.
“This case is a tragic reminder of the dangers of Human Smuggling. It is a clear example of how organizations exploit people for financial gain, regardless of the risk. The victims experienced the worst-case scenario firsthand; horrific conditions, injury, and death. We’re glad the smugglers are receiving consequences, but the crimes remain inexcusable. I’m proud of our agent’s persistence and collaboration between agencies; it is a testament to our commitment to border security,” said Special Operations Supervisor Ryan Gilberg of U.S. Border Patrol.
In imposing sentence, U.S. District Court Judge John R. Tunheim explained that “Border smuggling is a very serious problem,” one that “exploits victims.” He noted that the night this family died was one “one of the coldest nights of the winter” and that these were “very dangerous conditions.” Judge Tunheim said that the defendants “could have done something” and it “might have made a difference”—but they did nothing.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”). The RCMP and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.
The sentencings are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organization and protect our communities for the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and the Department of Justice’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. Acting United States Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick represented the government at the sentencing hearings.