A dual Canadian-American citizen, Timothy Oakes, was arrested on June 15 at the Massena, New York Port of Entry for his involvement in a human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of a family of four in the St. Lawrence River. The family included two children under three years old.
Oakes, aged 34 and from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in Canada, faces charges including conspiring to engage in alien smuggling and multiple counts related to smuggling for profit and resulting in death. He remains detained following his arraignment in the Northern District of New York District Court.
U.S.-based co-conspirators Dakota Montour, Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, and Janet Terrance have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. “As alleged, Oakes and his co-conspirators profited from a human smuggling operation with a singular, cold-hearted aim: making money by bringing illegal aliens into the United States,” stated Matthew R. Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
The investigation into this transnational criminal organization has been ongoing for nearly two years. Erin Keegan from ICE HSI Buffalo highlighted their efforts against these networks that exploit vulnerable individuals for profit.
Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia emphasized the tragic outcome of this smuggling attempt gone wrong, which claimed the lives of two toddlers and their parents. According to court documents, Oakes facilitated smuggling operations by piloting boats across the St. Lawrence River and using his home as a staging area.
In March 2023, Oakes housed a Romanian family before attempting to transport them across the river with his brother Casey Oakes. The boat capsized during this attempt, resulting in fatalities including Casey’s own death.
The case is part of Joint Task Force Alpha’s coordinated efforts against cartels and transnational criminal organizations impacting border security. Trial Attorney Jenna E. Reed and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt are prosecuting this case under Operation Take Back America initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and associated crimes.
