New arrest in human smuggling deaths on the St. Lawrence River

U.S. authorities made a significant arrest on Sunday in connection to the tragic incident that occurred in March 2023, where a boat pilot and eight individuals lost their lives during a human smuggling operation across the St. Lawrence River. Timothy Oakes, the brother of the deceased boat pilot, Casey Oakes, has been taken into custody and is facing charges related to alien smuggling resulting in death and alien smuggling for financial gain.

According to Michael Barnett, the public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Timothy’s indictment will be unsealed during his arraignment scheduled for Tuesday morning at the U.S. Federal Court for the Northern District of New York. The arrest took place at the U.S. port of entry in Massena, N.Y., as Timothy was crossing with his family to attend a Father’s Day gathering.

The tragic incident occurred on March 29, 2023, when Casey’s boat capsized in stormy waters, leading to the deaths of four members of a Romanian family, including two Canadian-born toddlers, and four members of an Indian family. It was discovered that both families had paid a human smuggling organization allegedly led by Thesingarasan Rasiah, a Sri Lankan-Canadian residing in Montreal.

Rasiah is currently facing multiple charges related to smuggling in Canada and has pleaded not guilty. The investigation has also led to the extradition proceedings of two other individuals from Akwesasne, Stephanie Square, and Rahsontanohstha Delormier, who have been indicted in connection to the tragic deaths on the St. Lawrence River.

The Quebec extradition file alleges that Square pressured Timothy to persuade Casey to pilot the two families across the river. It further states that the Romanian family stayed at Timothy’s residence on Cornwall Island in Akwesasne before the fatal crossing took place. Additionally, Timothy admitted to Akwesasne Mohawk Police that he towed the boat used by his brother shortly before the tragic incident.

In a separate development, three other Akwesasne residents have already pleaded guilty in relation to the human smuggling deaths on the St. Lawrence River. The investigation is ongoing, and U.S. authorities are working diligently to bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice.