Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Immigrants Across US-Canada Border After Deadly Boat Capsizing

A 35-year-old dual Canadian-American citizen will be heading to jail for bringing illegal immigrants into the U.S. Timothy Oakes, a native of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Territory, has pleaded guilty to being part of a human smuggling organization (HSO).

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Oakes frequently helped in transporting illegal immigrants from Canada to the U.S. through the St. Lawrence River. He participated in a human smuggling conspiracy for financial gain, earning about $1,000 per individual. The immigrants belonged to various countries, including Romania and India.

The DOJ has stated that Oakes’ home in Cornwall Island acted as a safe haven for immigrants before they were smuggled from Canada into the Northern District of New York through the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian reserve. Oakes has also been accused of operating boats across the St. Lawrence River to move individuals across the border.

His crimes came to light after one such smuggling attempt turned fatal. In March 2023, Oakes was tasked with transporting a family of four Romanian nationals into the U.S. After moving them to Cornwall Island, Oakes asked his brother to smuggle the individuals across the river.

However, the weather soon turned rough, and the boat capsized. Casey, as well as the Romanian family, died by drowning. The family included two children under the age of three. Additionally, four members of an Indian family also drowned and lost their lives in the incident. Oakes was accused of allowing the smuggling operation despite being aware of the severe weather conditions.

Along with Oakes, other people involved in the human smuggling conspiracy have already entered guilty pleas. These include Janet Terrance, 46, Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 45, and Dakota Montour, 32. All of them have been named as co-conspirators in the case. Oakes’ sentence hearing is scheduled for September 11. He could face five years to life in prison.

The news comes just a week after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona filed charges against 19 individuals for allegedly smuggling illegal aliens into the country. On May 4, Christian Diangelo Martinez-Espinoza was charged with transportation of illegal aliens for profit after a high-speed chase that led to a crash. Two Mexican nationals were found in his vehicle at the time.

A day later, Gregory Elisha Evans was also charged with transportation of illegal aliens. Evans was arrested after agents spotted him entering a known smuggling area. During a traffic stop, agents found two individuals wearing camouflage and hiding in the vehicle. Then, on May 8, authorities announced the arrest of five illegal immigrants in Phoenix for allegedly running a large-scale smuggling operation.

“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” the DOJ said in a statement.