Two individuals involved in a human trafficking operation that led to the tragic deaths of an Indian family in a severe blizzard have been sentenced, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, received a prison term exceeding 10 years for coordinating logistics, while his co-conspirator Steve Anthony Shand, 50, was sentenced to over six years for transporting migrants within the United States.
The pair were convicted for their roles in a large-scale smuggling network that trafficked Indian nationals into Canada using fraudulent student visas before illegally crossing them into the U.S. In January 2022, during a harsh cold snap with wind chill temperatures plummeting to -37.8°C (-36°F), Patel and Shand attempted to smuggle 11 Indian nationals across the border on foot.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent discovered Shand's van immobilized in heavy Minnesota snow. Despite Shand stating that no other individuals were stranded, five migrants emerged from nearby fields, one critically requiring airlifted medical care. Authorities arrested Shand and two migrants. However, four members of an Indian family, including two young children aged three and eleven, were found dead from exposure in a remote Canadian area by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Department of Justice detailed the heartbreaking scene, noting that the young boy was wrapped in a blanket with his father’s frozen glove covering his face. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick expressed deep sorrow, highlighting the devastating loss of life due to the defendants’ actions.
This sentencing marks a significant step in addressing the dangers of human smuggling networks and the tragic consequences that vulnerable migrants face during such illicit operations.
