Search teams searched the waters in Akwesasne, Quebec, on Friday, March 31, 2023, after a boat overturned, leaving six people dead and one baby still missing. The Canadian Press
A man with both U.S. and Canadian citizenship remains in custody after being accused of helping run a deadly human smuggling operation that ended in tragedy on the St. Lawrence River.
Suspect held in New York
Timothy Oakes, 34, was arrested on June 15 while trying to enter the U.S. He’s now being held in the Northern District of New York. He’s from Akwesasne, a community that stretches across the Canada-U.S. border west of Montreal.
He faces several charges, including conspiracy to smuggle people, smuggling migrants for profit, and smuggling that resulted in death. The charges stem from a tragic incident in March 2023, when eight people died during an attempt to cross into the U.S. by boat.
Romanian family among the victims
U.S. officials say Oakes helped organize the crossing that led to the deaths of a Romanian family of four. The victims were identified as Florin and Cristina (Monalisa) Iordache, along with their young children, Evelin and Elyen, who were only two and one years old.
Court records show Oakes housed the family for one night before bringing them to a public boat launch. His brother, Casey Oakes, was driving the boat that night. The boat overturned on the St. Lawrence River. Everyone onboard died, including Casey.
A family from India—two parents and two adult children—were also on the same boat. They drowned too, although their deaths were not included in Timothy Oakes’ U.S. charges.
Smuggling for profit
Authorities believe Oakes was paid $1,000 for every person he helped smuggle. U.S. attorneys said the group behind the smuggling knew the river was dangerous on the day of the crossing. The weather was freezing, visibility was poor, and the river conditions were unsafe.
Three others—Dakota Montour, 31; Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 43; and Janet Terrance, 45—have already pleaded guilty for their roles in the case. Montour admitted he knew the weather was risky but helped send the families across anyway.
Officials speak out
“This case shows the terrible perils of illegally crossing the border,” said John A. Sarcone III, a U.S. attorney. “Four family members died because a smuggling network put them in harm’s way.”
Another official, Matthew Galeotti, added that greed drove the plan forward, even though the risk to human life was high. “Their greed resulted in the deaths of a mother, a father, and two small children, as well as one of the defendants’ own brothers,” he said.
Authorities say Akwesasne is often used by smugglers because of its unique location on the border. Investigations remain ongoing.
