A Canadian-American man, Timothy Oakes, has been arrested for his involvement in a human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of a family of four on the St. Lawrence River. Oakes was apprehended while attempting to enter the United States at the Massena, New York, Port of Entry.
Oakes, 34, from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in Canada, faces multiple charges related to human smuggling. He was indicted in April for conspiring to engage in alien smuggling and is accused of profiting from these activities. The charges include four counts of alien smuggling resulting in death.
According to U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York, "Four family members died because a smuggling network put them in harm’s way." The case highlights the dangers associated with illegal border crossings.
Matthew R. Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated that "Their greed resulted in the deaths of a mother, a father, and two small children." He emphasized ongoing efforts to dismantle such organizations.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and is part of Joint Task Force Alpha's efforts against transnational criminal organizations responsible for human smuggling along the northern border.
Oakes allegedly used his home as a staging area before transporting aliens across the St. Lawrence River by boat. His brother Casey Oakes attempted to transport a Romanian family but their boat capsized during adverse weather conditions, resulting in fatalities including Casey himself.
Co-conspirators Dakota Montour and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow have pleaded guilty along with Janet Terrance who admitted involvement earlier this year.
The investigation into this case has been extensive and involves cooperation between U.S., Canadian law enforcement agencies as well as other partners under initiatives like Operation Take Back America which targets illegal immigration and related crimes.
Trial Attorney Jenna E. Reed and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt are prosecuting this case under various task forces focusing on eliminating threats posed by organized crime networks engaged in human trafficking operations globally.
