Two Men Convicted in Smuggling Case That Led to Indian Family's Death at U.S.-Canada Border

Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand found guilty of human trafficking charges after a family of four froze to death in a 2022 border crossing attempt.

A jury in Minnesota convicted Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, an Indian national, and Steve Shand, an American, on four counts related to human smuggling, including conspiracy to bring migrants into the U.S. illegally.
The case involved the deaths of Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two children, who froze to death in January 2022 while attempting to cross the U.S.-Canada border during a blizzard.
Prosecutors described the smuggling operation as a sophisticated network targeting Indian migrants, with victims often paying up to $100,000 to be transported to the U.S. through dangerous routes.
Testimony during the trial revealed how the network functioned, including the use of informal financial systems like 'hawala' to manage payments, and highlighted the growing trend of irregular migration from India.
The convictions carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison, with federal sentencing guidelines and various factors to determine the final penalties.