Canadian American Man Pleads Guilty in Deadly Alien Smuggling Conspiracy

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Timothy Oakes pleaded guilty to conspiracy and counts of alien smuggling resulting in death, admitting his role in a deadly operation that killed a family and his brother when their boat capsized in severe weather on the St. Lawrence River.

Oakes, 35, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Territory in Canada, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, four counts of alien smuggling for financial gain, and four counts of alien smuggling resulting in death. He faces a minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

According to court documents, Oakes routinely smuggled aliens from Canada into northern New York by piloting boats across the St. Lawrence River. He also used his home on Cornwall Island, Ontario, as a staging area for aliens before they were transported into the United States. Oakes earned approximately $1,000 for every alien he smuggled.

The charges stem of March 29, 2023, when Oakes transported a family of four Romanian nationals to a public boat launch on the tip of Cornwall Island. At approximately 9:30 p.m., Oakes left his boat and the family for his brother, Casey Oakes, to use to bring the aliens across the river into the United States.

While in transit, the boat capsized due to severe weather. The Romanian family and Casey Oakes died. The government stated that Oakes proceeded with the transport despite members of the organization being aware of dangerous weather conditions, including high winds, freezing temperatures, and limited visibility.

Oakes is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 11. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Co-conspirators Dakota Montour, 32, and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 45, both of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian reserve, New York, and Janet Terrance, 46, of Hogansburg, New York, have already entered guilty pleas.

Co-conspirators Stephanie Square, 53, and Rahsontanohstha Delormier, also known as Storm, 31, both of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Territory in Canada, were extradited to the United States from Canada in 2025 of the U.S. government and are awaiting trial.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York, and Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Field Office made the announcement.

The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations.

Trial Attorney Lyndsey Roberson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.