Akwesasne woman extradited to U.S. to face charges in migrant drowning case

Stephanie Square, 52, from the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to a 2023 migrant drowning case. (The Canadian Press/HO-Quebec Superior Court)

A woman from the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory who is alleged to have been a key player in a human smuggling operation tied to the drownings of eight migrants in 2023 has been extradited to the U.S.

In a news release, the U.S. Department of Justice said that Stephanie Square, 52, a dual Canadian-American citizen, appeared in court in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Friday to face charges in connection with the deaths of a Romanian family of four and four people from India who were allegedly trying to enter the U.S. illegally from Canada.

In June 2024, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York indicted Square for allegedly conspiring to engage in human smuggling, four counts of human smuggling for profit, and four counts of human smuggling resulting in death.

The migrants’ bodies were recovered from the St. Lawrence River in Akwesasne, about 130 kilometres southwest of Montreal.

The body of a ninth person, Casey Oakes, 30, an Akwesasne man who allegedly piloted the boat carrying the eight migrants, was found in the water in July 2023.

Square was arrested in Canada in August 2024 at the request of the U.S. government.

Another alleged co-conspirator, Timothy Oakes, 34, also from Akwesasne, was arrested on June 15, 2025, and remains detained pending trial for his alleged role in the operation, according to U.S. authorities.

Three other people charged in the case, Dakota Montour, 31, and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 43, both of Akwesasne, and Janet Terrance, 45, of Hogansburg, N.Y., have pleaded guilty on Jan. 23, 2025, Oct. 8, 2024, and March 6, 2025, respectively.

Montour pleaded guilty to several charges, including three counts of human smuggling resulting in death, for which she faces a mandatory life sentence.

According to court documents, Square allegedly served as the U.S.-based leader of a human smuggling organization that regularly smuggled people across the U.S.-Canada border through Akwesasne.

Authorities have said Akwesasne’s unique geography, straddling Quebec, Ontario and New York state, makes the territory a popular spot for smugglers of people and contraband.

In late March 2023, a prolific Canadian smuggler allegedly contacted Square to arrange the crossing for the Romanian family.

Square is alleged to have recruited multiple people to assist, though one refused due to high winds on the St. Lawrence River that night.

She then allegedly enlisted Montour to transport the family to Timothy Oakes’ residence on Cornwall Island, described by investigators as a “notorious” staging area for cross-border smuggling operations.

The family allegedly arrived at the residence around 3:35 a.m. on March 29 and stayed there until evening.

At around 9:29 p.m., Timothy Oakes’ vehicle, towing a light blue boat, was allegedly seen travelling east from the residence toward a public boat launch, according to authorities.

Later that night, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service received multiple calls from residents on Cornwall Island reporting cries for help on the St. Lawrence River.

At the same time, Square allegedly instructed Montour to search the riverbanks for the missing family.

The following day, Square allegedly told Montour to delete all their messages.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Between March 30 and 31, Akwesasne police recovered the bodies of the Romanian family: Florin Iordache, 28; his wife, Cristina (Monalisa) Zenaida Iordache, 28; their daughter, Evelin, 2; and son, Elyen, 1. Both children were Canadian citizens, and the family had been living in the Toronto area.

Police also recovered Timothy Oakes’ light blue boat.

The four deceased Indians were members of the Chaudhari family from the western Indian state of Gujarat. They were identified as the father, Praveenbhai, 50; mother, Dakshaben, 45; son, Meet, 20; and daughter, Vidhi, 23.

With files from the Canadian Press