A federal jury in Minnesota has found two men guilty for their involvement in a human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of a family of four Indian nationals. The individuals, Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Anthony Shand, were convicted for smuggling migrants across the Canada-U.S. border.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that between December 12, 2021, and January 19, 2022, Patel and Shand conspired to transport Indian nationals from Canada into the United States. The operation involved bringing people into Canada on student visas before moving them across the border. Patel coordinated logistics with partners in Canada, while Shand was responsible for picking up migrants near the border and transporting them to Chicago.

On January 19, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents responded to a U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) request after stopping a van driven by Shand less than a mile south of the U.S.-Canadian border. Nearby, law enforcement encountered five Indian nationals who had crossed the border on foot in freezing temperatures expecting pickup.

One member carried a backpack belonging to another family of four who had become separated during their journey. Tragically, this family was later found deceased due to extreme cold conditions on the Canadian side of the border.

Following a five-day trial, Patel and Shand were each convicted on four counts of human smuggling. They face maximum sentences of up to 20 years for certain counts and up to 10 years for others. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge.

The announcement came from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri; U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger; Special Agent Jamie Holt; and Chief Patrol Agent Scott D. Garrett.

The investigation was conducted by HSI and USBP with assistance from RCMP and Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Trial Attorney Ryan Lipes and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McBride are prosecuting the case.