FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – Two men were found guilty on all charges in connection to a human smuggling operation that led to the tragic deaths of a family of four migrants. Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand were convicted of multiple offenses, including conspiracy to transport noncitizens to the United States, resulting in serious bodily harm and endangering lives.
The federal jury delivered the verdict after a brief deliberation, following three days of testimony in the trial. Prosecutors argued that the defendants prioritized profit over the well-being of individuals on the night of the incident. Patel allegedly paid Shand to transport 11 migrants from India who were attempting to cross into the U.S. from Canada. Tragically, as temperatures plummeted and a blizzard struck, a family perished in the freezing conditions.
Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two children, Vihangi and Dharmik, lost their lives due to the extreme weather conditions. Authorities found two migrants in Shand’s van near the border, with five more individuals discovered in distress in the fields. One person suffered severe frostbite, highlighting the dangers of their journey.
The prosecution argued that Patel orchestrated several trips from Florida, involving the illegal transportation of migrants to Chicago. While Patel’s attorney contested the accusations, Shand’s defense portrayed him as an unwitting participant in the smuggling scheme. A convicted smuggler, Rajinder Pal Singh, implicated a Canadian player in the network’s operations, linking them to the tragic events of that night.
Despite a motion for a mistrial, Judge John R. Tunheim denied the request. The defense highlighted the questionable conduct of a key witness, Border Patrol Agent Daniel Huguley, who failed to disclose disciplinary actions. Jurors were instructed to consider this information when evaluating the witness’s credibility during the trial.
Overall, the convictions shed light on the dangerous world of human smuggling and the devastating consequences it can have on vulnerable individuals seeking a better life. The tragic loss of the Patel family serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in illegal border crossings and the importance of upholding immigration laws to protect those in need.