A dual Canadian American citizen extradited from Canada pleaded guilty on July 23 for her role as an organizer in a human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of a family, including two children under the age of three, in the St. Lawrence River.
“Alien smuggling preys on vulnerable migrants and undermines the integrity of our nation’s laws,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “Since taking office, my team and I have aggressively pursued dozens of defendants for immigration‑related offenses along the northern border. This defendant and their co-conspirators showed a blatant disregard for human life, our laws, and the safety of our communities. We remain unwavering in our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect and secure our northern border.”
According to court documents, Stephanie Square, 53, from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Territory in Canada, was identified as the U.S.-based leader of an alien smuggling organization that regularly moved individuals across the U.S.-Canada border via the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation. During late March 2023, Square coordinated with others to transport a Romanian family across the St. Lawrence River despite high winds and freezing temperatures that night; one co-conspirator refused due to weather conditions, but Square persisted so she would be paid.
The Romanian family arrived at Timothy Oakes’ residence on Cornwall Island before being transported by boat pilot Casey Oakes during severe weather conditions on March 29, 2023; both Casey Oakes and all four members of the family died when their boat capsized while crossing. The bodies were recovered by authorities between March 30-31; Casey Oakes’ body was found eight months later.
Square pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, four counts of alien smuggling for financial gain, and four counts resulting in death; sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 25 with penalties ranging from five years up to life imprisonment pending judicial review under federal guidelines.
Co-conspirators Dakota Montour, Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, Janet Terrance, and Timothy Oakes previously entered guilty pleas between October 2024 and May 2026; Square and Rahsontanohstha Delormier were extradited from Canada at U.S. request—Delormier pleaded guilty June 26.
Homeland Security Investigations Massena led a multi-agency investigation involving local police services from both sides of the border as well as several federal agencies including Customs & Border Protection and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The case was prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which targets leaders involved in transnational human smuggling operations throughout North America—including recent efforts resulting in over 465 arrests internationally—according to information released by the official website. The U.S. Attorney for this district covers more than thirty counties across central/northern New York State with offices located throughout Albany, Binghamton, Plattsburgh and Syracuse; it is part of the Department of Justice with approximately fifty attorneys plus support staff handling federal prosecutions across an area home to about three million residents.