Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand, both convicted of human smuggling after an Indian family of four froze to death attempting to cross the U.S.-Canada border from Manitoba in 2022, have filed notices of appeal. Patel was sentenced to over 10 years and Shand to six and a half years in Minnesota for their roles in the scheme. The Patel family (Jagdish, Vaishali, Vihangi, Dharmik) died in blizzard conditions near the border.
2nd man convicted of human smuggling after family froze to death at Manitoba border files notice of appeal
ManitobaMinnesotaUnited StatesHarshkumar PatelSteve Anthony ShandSmugglingPrisonsSentencingTrials
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand, both convicted of human smuggling after an Indian family of four froze to death attempting to cross the U.S.-Canada border from Manitoba in 2022, have filed notices of appeal. Patel was sentenced to over 10 years and Shand to six and a half years in Minnesota for their roles in the scheme. The Patel family (Jagdish, Vaishali, Vihangi, Dharmik) died in blizzard conditions near the border.
Trending- 1 Jan. 19, 2022: Jagdish Patel, Vaishali Patel, Vihangi Patel, and Dharmik Patel found frozen to death near U.S.-Canada border.
- 2 Last November: Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand tried and convicted in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
- 3 Last week: Patel and Shand sentenced in Minnesota courtroom (Patel to 10+ years, Shand to 6.5 years).
- 4 Last week (Friday/Wednesday): Patel and Shand file notices of appeal.
- Four members of Patel family froze to death
- Harshkumar Patel sentenced to over 10 years in prison
- Steve Shand sentenced to six and a half years in prison
- Both men appealing convictions and sentences
- Patel likely to be deported to India
- No one in Canada facing charges yet
What: Two men, Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand, convicted of human smuggling, have filed appeals against their convictions and sentences.
When: Appeals filed last week (Patel on Friday, Shand on Wednesday). Convicted last November. Deaths occurred Jan. 19, 2022. Sentencing last week.
Where: United States District Court in the District of Minnesota; Fergus Falls, Minnesota (federal courthouse); near the U.S.-Canada border (Manitoba side).
Why: Patel and Shand were convicted of coordinating and carrying out a scheme to bring Indian migrants into the U.S. from Canada, which resulted in the deaths of a family. They are appealing their convictions and sentences.
How: Patel coordinated the operation and hired Shand to drive migrants after they walked over the border. The Patel family died from exposure while attempting the crossing in blizzard conditions.