Leader of Human Smuggling Operation Sentenced to 10 Years After Tragic Freezing Deaths of Family of Four at US-Canada Border

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — In a tragic case, the ringleader of a human smuggling operation was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel was convicted after a family of four from India froze to death trying to cross the U.S. border.

Federal prosecutors sought a longer sentence of nearly 20 years for Patel. The sentencing also included Steve Anthony Shand, the driver meant to pick up the family, who received 6.5 years. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim called the crime “extraordinary” and emphasized that the deaths of the family, including two children, were preventable.

Prosecutors described Patel’s actions as driven by greed. Lisa Kirkpatrick, the acting U.S. attorney, criticized Patel for exploiting the aspirations of migrants for a better life. Patel, who professed his innocence through his lawyer, claimed he was a minor player in the operation.

The smuggling scheme was complex. It involved bringing people from India to Canada on student visas and then sneaking them into the U.S. Tragically, the victims—Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their children, Vihangi and Dharmik—perished in extreme cold on January 19, 2022. They were discovered just over the border in Manitoba.

Statistics show that illegal crossings along the northern border have been steady, with no major increases recently. Michael Hanson, from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, remarked on the dangers of such attempts, pointing out that weather conditions can be life-threatening.

The family’s journey was harrowing. Reports reveal that they walked for hours in brutal weather, with wind chills reaching -36°F. Seven in their group survived, but only two made it to Shand’s van, which was stuck in the snow. One survivor suffered severe frostbite and hypothermia.

Patel’s defense argued he was not in charge of the plan. Shand’s lawyer described him as a desperate driver needing money to support his family.

This tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges at the U.S. northern border, where human smugglers continue to take advantage of desperate individuals. It’s a stark reminder of the risks associated with seeking a better life amidst perilous conditions.



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