MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A tragic incident involving an Indian family of four, who froze to death while attempting to cross into the U.S. from Canada during a blizzard, has led to sentencing proceedings for two men in Minnesota. They are facing human smuggling charges in connection with what federal prosecutors describe as an international conspiracy.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim will determine the prison sentences for Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, the alleged ringleader, and Steve Anthony Shand, the driver who was meant to pick up the family. Federal prosecutors have recommended a nearly 20-year sentence for Patel and almost 11 years for Shand. In a previous ruling, Judge Tunheim declined to overturn the guilty verdicts, highlighting that the evidence was clear-cut.
Patel, who used the alias “Dirty Harry,” and Shand, a U.S. citizen from Florida, were found guilty on four counts each during their trial last November. Prosecutors outlined a sophisticated illegal operation wherein Patel and Shand smuggled individuals from India into the U.S. after they entered Canada on student visas.
The victims of this tragedy are Jagdish Patel, aged 39; his wife Vaishaliben, in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter Vihangi; and their 3-year-old son Dharmik. Their frozen bodies were discovered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on January 19, 2022, just north of the border between Manitoba and Minnesota. The family hailed from Dingucha, a village in Gujarat, India, known for many residents seeking better opportunities overseas.
Details of the case revealed the dire conditions they faced. The father, Jagdish, succumbed while attempting to protect his son Dharmik’s face from a brutal wind with a frozen glove. His daughter Vihangi was reported to be wearing ill-fitting boots and gloves. Their mother died against a chain-link fence, likely believing it led to safety. On that fateful morning, wind chill temperatures plummeted to -36°F (-38°C), creating life-threatening conditions.
Out of a group attempting to cross, seven members survived, but only two managed to reach Shand's van, which was trapped in snow on the U.S. side. One survivor required emergency medical attention for severe frostbite and hypothermia, while another had never previously encountered snow before arriving in Canada. It emerged that the winter clothing they received was insufficient for such extreme weather.
Prosecutors highlighted Patel's lack of remorse throughout the proceedings and accused him of continued denial about his identity and involvement in the smuggling operation. They requested a sentence of 19 years and 7 months for Patel, citing his significant culpability in the tragedy. For Shand, they proposed a sentence of 10 years and 10 months, considering his participation in the conspiracy.
Shand's attorney described the government's requested sentence as excessively punitive, arguing for a significantly reduced sentence of just 27 months. The defense contended that Shand played a limited role in the operation, acting merely as a driver in desperate circumstances to provide for his family.
As the sentencing hearing approaches, Patel has been incarcerated since his arrest in February 2024 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. He claimed to have no income or assets while seeking a government-funded attorney for his intended appeal. Conversely, Shand remains free pending his sentencing outcome.
