Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 28, was recently apprehended in Chicago on charges related to human smuggling, over two years after a tragic incident where a family of four from India froze to death attempting to enter the US from Canada. Patel allegedly recruited Steve Shand of Deltona, Florida, to transport migrants from the Canadian border to Chicago, compensating him $25,000 for five trips between December 2021 and January 2022. Shand, who denies the charges, awaits trial on March 25.
Patel’s attorney, Michael Leonard, expressed limited knowledge about the allegations, citing the lack of substantive evidence beyond hearsay statements provided in the Criminal Complaint. The case revolves around an incident where Border Patrol intercepted a 15-passenger van driven by Shand in North Dakota on January 19, 2022. Nearby, officers found five Indian nationals, including a child’s backpack containing supplies, indicating a family separation during their perilous journey.
Tragically, Canadian Mounties discovered the bodies of Jagdish and Vaishaliben Patel and their children, 11-year-old Vihangi and 3-year-old Dharmik, just 33 feet from the border near Emerson, Manitoba. The victims died from exposure after enduring an 11-hour walk in severe blizzard conditions. Investigations reveal Patel as the alleged orchestrator of the smuggling operation. Patel himself reportedly entered the US illegally in 2018, having been denied a visa multiple times.
Federal prosecutors assert Patel’s involvement based on evidence such as extensive communication records between Shand and Patel discussing logistics for illegal trafficking. Text messages indicate awareness of hazardous weather conditions during the smuggling attempt. While the relationship between Patel and the deceased family remains unclear, authorities believe Patel operated a gambling business in Florida, where Shand frequented and operated a taxi service.
