More than a year after two families of migrants died trying to cross the border in Akwesasne, the leader of the network that allegedly organized the clandestine crossing was placed in handcuffs facing deportation to the United States.
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“Stephanie Square is dangerous to the public, and even after the deaths of two families in March 2023, he continues to smuggle migrants across the border,” US officials say in documents obtained by Le Journal.
Square, 51, was arrested last week in connection with the deadliest drowning in the Akwesasne Mohawk Reserve, which borders Quebec, Ontario and New York state.
At the time, two small immigrant families wanted to cross the St. Lawrence in hopes of finding a better life in America. However, due to their immigration situation, they invited smugglers to help them in exchange for a few thousand dollars.
Three of the victims, Romanian father Florin Iordach and his two children, Evelyn (in stroller) and Eilan (right), were born in Canada.
Photos taken from Florin Richard Iordache’s Facebook account
Very dangerous
Except that day, the weather was dangerous, according to a Square associate who decided to cooperate with U.S. Homeland Security.
Dakota Montour, an alleged accomplice of Stephanie Square, was captured by surveillance cameras at the Canadian-US border the day before the tragedy, in which eight people, including children, died trying to cross the border. Photo courtesy of Court
Courtesy of the Court
” [Ce complice] According to the investigation reports, he refused to take the water because of the danger. According to him, Square later bought a small boat for $5,000 to carry more evacuees. »
Squire then hired a pilot, Casey Oakes, to fly the boat.
“His brother was worried the boat would capsize because the water was so rough due to bad weather,” court documents read.
The bodies of at least six migrants were found in the St. Lawrence River and searches continue to locate the victims in the Akwesasne department, Friday March 31, 2023. Maxime Talent/Agency QMI
Archive photo, QMI Agency (Maxim Delent)
That’s what happened during the crossing. No one on board survived, including two children aged six months and two years.
“It’s probably the worst drowning we’ve ever had,” said an emotional Reynold Hawkins, general director of the lifesaving association.
The bodies of at least six migrants were found in the St. Lawrence River and searches continue to locate the victims in the Akwesasne department, Friday March 31, 2023. Maxime Talent/Agency QMI
MAXIME DELAND/AGENCY QMI
She continues anyway
Following the tragedy, investigations were launched on both sides of the border. And, soon, sleuths identified Square, who lives in Akwesasne, as the leader of the smuggling network responsible for the tragedy. It seems the tragic deaths of two families didn’t stop her a few months later, as the intercepted migrant told the woman she would continue to work.
Even after eight migrants died, Stephanie Square continued to carry illegal immigrants, according to US authorities, who seized a suspect in a boat with the suspect in July 2024. Photo courtesy of Court
Courtesy of the Court
As recently as this summer, Square was seen with an individual who claimed to help smuggle immigrants.
Armed with sufficient evidence, prosecutors in the Northern District of New York presented their case to a grand jury, which indicted nine counts, including conspiracy, human trafficking for gain and human trafficking causing death.
Three others were also charged: Dakota Montour, Rahsondanosta Delormier, and Janet Terrence.
Rahsontanohsta Delormire was accused by a US judge of being part of a network of migrant smugglers through the Akwesasne Reserve, led by Stephanie Square. Photo courtesy of Court File
Courtesy of the Court
In the square, he was held in custody in Canada while the High Court considered an extradition request by US authorities, who wanted to impose a harsher sentence on him.
Both families were torn apart
- Florin Iordache, 28 years old
- Cristina Iordache, 28 years old
- Evelyn Iordache, 2 years old
- Eylen Iordache, 6 months
- Pravinbhai Veljibhai Chaudhary, 49 years old
- Dakshaben Pravinbhai Choudhary, 45 years old
- Mitkumar Pravinbhai Chaudhary, 20 years old
- Vidipen Pravinkumar Chaudhary, 23 years old
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