Topline: Children aged 3 and 11 were among four who froze to death after crossing into the U.S. during a blizzard.
Published: June 1, 2025 9:00 am ET
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Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, left, and Steve Anthony Shand (via Sherburne County Sheriff's Office / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two men were sentenced this week in federal court for their roles in an international human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of four Indian nationals—including two children—in January 2022.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, an Indian national formerly living in Florida, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison. He will be deported after serving his sentence. His co-conspirator, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, also of Florida, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
According to evidence presented during trial, Patel and Shand were involved in a scheme to smuggle Indian nationals into the U.S. through Canada using fraudulent student visas. Patel organized the logistics from Canada, while Shand picked up the migrants near the northern border and transported them to Chicago. Both were paid for their roles in the conspiracy, despite the extreme risks involved—especially during winter.
Prosecutors said the going rate to be smuggled from India through Canada into the U.S. was around $100,000.
“Patel and Shand endangered thousands of lives for their personal enrichment and are responsible for the deaths of two small children who froze to death on their watch,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case demonstrates the grave danger associated with human smuggling operations.”
The fatal incident occurred on January 18 and 19, 2022, when Patel and Shand coordinated the crossing of 11 migrants on foot across the U.S.-Canada border in severe blizzard conditions. Shand had even sent Patel a screenshot warning of wind chills below -45 degrees. Despite the risk, the plan moved forward.
The next morning, U.S. Border Patrol agents found Shand’s van stuck in the snow near the border. Two migrants were inside. While Shand claimed no others were involved, five more soon emerged from nearby fields—one suffering from severe hypothermia.
Later that day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the frozen bodies of a family of four, including an 11-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, just across the Canadian side of the border. The boy was wrapped in a blanket, with his father’s frozen glove covering his face.
“This family—including two beautiful little children—were left to freeze to death in a blizzard,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. “Human traffickers care nothing for humanity.”
In November 2024, a federal jury convicted both men of multiple charges, including conspiracy to bring and transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury, and attempted transportation of aliens for financial gain.
“Today’s sentencing marks a crucial moment of accountability,” said Jamie Holt, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in St. Paul. “The callous disregard for life that led to the tragic deaths of an entire family will not be forgotten.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Two Sentenced in Smuggling Case That Left Indian Family, Children Dead in Blizzard
Children aged 3 and 11 were among four who froze to death after crossing into the U.S. during a blizzard.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 1, 2025 9:00 am ET
Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, left, and Steve Anthony Shand (via Sherburne County Sheriff's Office / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two men were sentenced this week in federal court for their roles in an international human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of four Indian nationals—including two children—in January 2022.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, an Indian national formerly living in Florida, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison. He will be deported after serving his sentence. His co-conspirator, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, also of Florida, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
According to evidence presented during trial, Patel and Shand were involved in a scheme to smuggle Indian nationals into the U.S. through Canada using fraudulent student visas. Patel organized the logistics from Canada, while Shand picked up the migrants near the northern border and transported them to Chicago. Both were paid for their roles in the conspiracy, despite the extreme risks involved—especially during winter.
Prosecutors said the going rate to be smuggled from India through Canada into the U.S. was around $100,000.
“Patel and Shand endangered thousands of lives for their personal enrichment and are responsible for the deaths of two small children who froze to death on their watch,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case demonstrates the grave danger associated with human smuggling operations.”
The fatal incident occurred on January 18 and 19, 2022, when Patel and Shand coordinated the crossing of 11 migrants on foot across the U.S.-Canada border in severe blizzard conditions. Shand had even sent Patel a screenshot warning of wind chills below -45 degrees. Despite the risk, the plan moved forward.
The next morning, U.S. Border Patrol agents found Shand’s van stuck in the snow near the border. Two migrants were inside. While Shand claimed no others were involved, five more soon emerged from nearby fields—one suffering from severe hypothermia.
Later that day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the frozen bodies of a family of four, including an 11-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, just across the Canadian side of the border. The boy was wrapped in a blanket, with his father’s frozen glove covering his face.
“This family—including two beautiful little children—were left to freeze to death in a blizzard,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. “Human traffickers care nothing for humanity.”
In November 2024, a federal jury convicted both men of multiple charges, including conspiracy to bring and transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury, and attempted transportation of aliens for financial gain.
“Today’s sentencing marks a crucial moment of accountability,” said Jamie Holt, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in St. Paul. “The callous disregard for life that led to the tragic deaths of an entire family will not be forgotten.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Two Sentenced in Smuggling Case That Left Indian Family, Children Dead in Blizzard
Children aged 3 and 11 were among four who froze to death after crossing into the U.S. during a blizzard.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 1, 2025 9:00 am ET
Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, left, and Steve Anthony Shand (via Sherburne County Sheriff's Office / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two men were sentenced this week in federal court for their roles in an international human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of four Indian nationals—including two children—in January 2022.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, an Indian national formerly living in Florida, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison. He will be deported after serving his sentence. His co-conspirator, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, also of Florida, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
According to evidence presented during trial, Patel and Shand were involved in a scheme to smuggle Indian nationals into the U.S. through Canada using fraudulent student visas. Patel organized the logistics from Canada, while Shand picked up the migrants near the northern border and transported them to Chicago. Both were paid for their roles in the conspiracy, despite the extreme risks involved—especially during winter.
Prosecutors said the going rate to be smuggled from India through Canada into the U.S. was around $100,000.
“Patel and Shand endangered thousands of lives for their personal enrichment and are responsible for the deaths of two small children who froze to death on their watch,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case demonstrates the grave danger associated with human smuggling operations.”
The fatal incident occurred on January 18 and 19, 2022, when Patel and Shand coordinated the crossing of 11 migrants on foot across the U.S.-Canada border in severe blizzard conditions. Shand had even sent Patel a screenshot warning of wind chills below -45 degrees. Despite the risk, the plan moved forward.
The next morning, U.S. Border Patrol agents found Shand’s van stuck in the snow near the border. Two migrants were inside. While Shand claimed no others were involved, five more soon emerged from nearby fields—one suffering from severe hypothermia.
Later that day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the frozen bodies of a family of four, including an 11-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, just across the Canadian side of the border. The boy was wrapped in a blanket, with his father’s frozen glove covering his face.
“This family—including two beautiful little children—were left to freeze to death in a blizzard,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. “Human traffickers care nothing for humanity.”
In November 2024, a federal jury convicted both men of multiple charges, including conspiracy to bring and transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury, and attempted transportation of aliens for financial gain.
“Today’s sentencing marks a crucial moment of accountability,” said Jamie Holt, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in St. Paul. “The callous disregard for life that led to the tragic deaths of an entire family will not be forgotten.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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