Family of N.S. man found dead in Dominican Republic asks help to bring remains home
Dorian Christian MacDonald, 33, was found dead in the water on a beach in the Puerto Plata resort town of Maimon Bay around 3 a.m. on June 20.
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Montreal Gazette
5 hours ago
- Montreal Gazette
Akwesasne man in custody in deadly human smuggling case
WASHINGTON — A dual Canadian-American citizen that United States authorities allege was part of a deadly human smuggling operation that left migrants drowned in the St. Lawrence River will remain in custody following a detention hearing in the Northern District of New York District Court on Tuesday. The U.S. Justice Department said 34-year-old Timothy Oakes was arrested as he attempted to enter the United States on June 15. Oakes, who is from Akwesasne, which straddles the borders of Ontario, Quebec and New York State, was indicted in April for conspiring with others to smuggle people from Canada into the United States, as well as four counts of alien smuggling for profit and four counts of alien smuggling resulting in death. U.S. court documents allege Oakes was a key facilitator in the smuggling operation that left a Romanian family of four, including two young children, dead in March 2023. The family, which were not named in the U.S. court documents, have been identified as Florin Iordache, his wife Cristina (Monalisa) Zenaida Iordache, their two-year-old daughter Evelin and one-year-old son Elyen. 'This case shows the terrible perils of illegally crossing the border,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John A. Sarcone III said in a statement Tuesday. 'Four family members died because a smuggling network put them in harm's way.' Court documents allege that Oakes routinely smuggled people into the United States by boat across the St. Lawrence River. Documents said he was paid $1,000 per person. Court documents said Oakes housed the Romanian family for about 24 hours in March 2023 before transporting them along with a boat to a public launch site. His brother, Casey Oakes, was piloting the boat intending to reach northern New York. The boat ultimately capsized, killing all four members of the migrant family and Oakes's brother. A family of four from India were also on the boat and drowned but the U.S. indictment against Oakes does not include their deaths. Last year, RCMP announced arrests in connection to the deaths of 50-year-old Praveenbhai Chaudhari, his 45-year-old wife Dakshaben, their 20-year-old son Meet and their daughter Vidhi, 23. Law enforcement have said Akwesasne's geography across the international border makes it a popular spot for smugglers of both humans and contraband. The U.S. Justice Department said those involved in the tragedy knew about dangerous conditions on the St. Lawrence River on the day of the drownings. United States-based Dakota Montour, 31, Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 43, and Janet Terrance, 45, previously entered guilty pleas in relation to the tragedy. The statement said Montour admitted he was aware of the dangerous weather — high winds, freezing temperatures, and limited visibility — yet the family of four was still loaded into the small boat. 'As alleged, Oakes and his co-conspirators profited from a human smuggling operation with a singular, cold-hearted aim: making money by bringing illegal aliens into the United States, regardless of the danger to human life involved,' Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said in the statement. 'Their greed resulted in the deaths of a mother, a father, and two small children, as well as one of the defendants' own brothers.'
Toronto Star
5 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Canada-U.S. citizen in custody in deadly St. Lawrence River human smuggling case
WASHINGTON - A dual Canadian-American citizen that United States authorities allege was part of a deadly human smuggling operation that left migrants drowned in the St. Lawrence River will remain in custody following a detention hearing in the Northern District of New York District Court on Tuesday. The U.S. Justice Department said 34-year-old Timothy Oakes was arrested as he attempted to enter the United States on June 15.
Toronto Sun
6 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Dual citizen in custody in fatal St. Lawrence River human-smuggling case
Published Jul 01, 2025 • 1 minute read A police helicopter searches near the St. Lawrence River in Akwesasne, Que., Friday, March 31, 2023. Photo by Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS WASHINGTON — A dual Canadian-American citizen that United States authorities allege was part of a deadly human smuggling operation that left migrants drowned in the St. Lawrence River was arrested last month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The U.S. Justice Department says 34-year-old Timothy Oakes was arrested as he attempted to enter the United States on June 15. Oakes, who is from Akwesasne, west of Montreal, will remain in custody following a detention hearing in the Northern District of New York District Court earlier Tuesday. Read More Oakes was indicted in April for conspiring with others to smuggle people from Canada into the United States across the St. Lawrence River and U.S. court documents allege he was a key facilitator. Documents say Oakes housed a Romanian family of four before they were transported by boat with the intention of landing in northern New York in March 2023. The boat ultimately capsized, killing all four members of the migrant family and Oakes' brother who was piloting the vessel. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Ontario Editorial Cartoons Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Maple Leafs Sports
