A 35-year-old man has admitted guilt in the United States for his part in a human smuggling scheme that resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including two young children, in the St. Lawrence River.
Timothy Oakes, a resident of Akwesasne, a Haudenosaunee territory straddling the Canada-U.S. border near Montreal, played a crucial role in a human trafficking network that transported migrants from Canada to northern New York. Court records reveal that Oakes frequently smuggled migrants into the U.S. by navigating boats across the St. Lawrence River. He also utilized his residence on Ontario’s Cornwall Island as a safe haven before guiding migrants across the border, profiting around $1,000 per person.
The organization primarily moved migrants from countries like Romania and India. After staying in hotels in Cornwall, Ontario, the groups were taken to the border region of the Haudenosaunee territory. Subsequently, other members of the group would ferry the migrants on boats across the St. Lawrence River to drivers who then transported them deeper into New York. Oakes’ responsibilities included providing a safe house and occasionally ferrying migrants across the river by boat.
On March 29, 2023, Oakes transported a Romanian family of four to a public boat launch on Cornwall Island. Later that evening, the boat capsized due to severe weather conditions, resulting in the deaths of the Romanian family and Oakes’ brother, Casey Oakes. Additionally, the bodies of four Indian nationals were recovered from the river post the failed crossing attempt. Despite being aware of the perilous weather conditions, including high winds and cold temperatures, Timothy Oakes proceeded with the transport.
Oakes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in alien smuggling, four counts of alien smuggling for financial gains, and four counts of alien smuggling resulting in death. His sentencing is set for September 11, and he could face a minimum of five years to a maximum of life imprisonment.
Several other co-conspirators have also confessed to their roles in the smuggling operation. Furthermore, numerous individuals were extradited from Canada to the U.S. to face charges and are presently awaiting trial.