A dual Canadian American citizen pleaded guilty to federal charges for organizing a human smuggling attempt that ended with five deaths when a boat capsized in severe weather on the St. Lawrence River in 2023.
Stephanie Square, 53, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Territory in Canada, admitted to conspiracy to commit human smuggling, four counts of smuggling for financial gain and four counts of smuggling resulting in death, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.
Federal prosecutors said Square led a smuggling organization that regularly moved people across the U.S.-Canada border through Akwesasne. During the week of March 27, 2023, she was contacted about moving a Romanian family of four, including two children younger than 3, across the river into the United States.
According to court documents, one person declined to help because of high winds. Prosecutors said Square continued the operation despite high winds, freezing temperatures and limited visibility because she expected to be paid.
The family was taken to Timothy Oakes' residence on Cornwall Island early March 29 and later brought to a boat launch, prosecutors said. Casey Oakes attempted to pilot the family across the river that night, but the boat capsized in severe weather.
The bodies of the four family members were recovered March 30 and 31 along with the boat. Casey Oakes' body was found eight months later.
Square is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 25. She faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life, though a federal judge will determine the sentence after reviewing federal guidelines and other factors.
Five other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty in the case, including two people who were extradited from Canada. Homeland Security Investigations in Massena led the investigation with assistance from U.S., Canadian, state, local and tribal agencies.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.