Canadian American pleads guilty to human smuggling after family dies crossing into New York

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The Saint Lawrence River is seen from Old Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, on June 25, 2025. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A Canadian man who also held American citizenship pleaded guilty to his role in a human smuggling attempt across the two nations’ border that resulted in the deaths of a Romanian family, which included two children under three years old.

Big picture view:

Timothy Oakes, 35, was one of the main perpetrators in a human smuggling operation that helped people from multiple countries, including India and Romania, illegally cross into northern New York via the St. Lawrence Seaway, the U.S. Department of Justice explained.

The backstory:

His plea stems from the deaths of the four Romanians who were in a boat guided by Oakes’ brother on the night of March 29, 2023, when it capsized during stormy weather, killing all five of them. Prosecutors alleged Timothy Oakes understood how dangerous the crossing would be, given the high winds, freezing temperatures, and limited visibility, yet went ahead and let the transport continue.

Dig deeper:

According to the Justice Department, Oakes was part of a conspiracy that would guide people from Cornwall, Ontario, across Cornwall Island and through Akwesasne Mohawk Indian reserve before crossing into New York. Oakes’ role was reported to have been to host the migrants at his home on Cornwall Island and would receive $1,000 for every individual. He would also allegedly transport people across the river.

What's next:

Oakes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, four counts of alien smuggling for financial gain, and four counts of alien smuggling resulting in death. He is scheduled to be sentenced in a federal court on September 11 and faces a potential life sentence. 

Three other people - Dakota Montour, 32, and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 45, both of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian reserve, New York, and Janet Terrance, 46, of Hogansburg, New York - all pleaded guilty in connection with the case last year, while two other suspects - Stephanie Square, 53, and Rahsontanohstha Delormier, 31, were extradited from Canada to the United States and are awaiting trial.