Skip to Main content

26.14°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 26, 2023 6:25 PM - The Canadian Press

Florida man pleads not guilty after Canada-U.S. human smuggling tragedy in Manitoba

Share On

florida-man-pleads-not-guilty-after-canada-u-s-human-smuggling-tragedy-in-manitoba

He was arrested in January 2022 in a remote area of northern Minnesota, where border agents encountered him with two Indian nationals in a rented passenger van. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

A Florida man has pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges after the frozen bodies of a family of four migrants were found near the Canada-U.S. border last year.

Steve Shand, 48, entered the plea today via videoconference as part of his long-delayed arraignment in Duluth, Minn.

Shand faces one count each of bringing people into the U.S. illegally and of transporting them inside the country.

He was arrested in January 2022 in a remote area of northern Minnesota, where border agents encountered him with two Indian nationals in a rented passenger van.

Just over the border, near Emerson, Man., RCMP officers discovered the bodies of four people authorities believe froze to death while trying to slip into the U.S. undetected.

Three others in India are facing charges in the deaths of Jagdish Patel, 39, wife Vaishaliben, 37, daughter Vihangi, 11, and three-year-old son Dharmik.

Latest news

sukhbir-singh-badal-attacked-at-nanded-sahib-sustains-injury-to-hand

IndiaAug 13, 2026

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked at Nanded Sahib, Sustains Injury to Hand

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was reportedly attacked at Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra on Thursday. According to preliminary information, Badal sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to a private hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be stable. The incident reportedly took place at around 11 a.m. when Badal had gone to Mata Sahib Kaur Gurdwara at Nanded Sahib along with his supporters and security personnel. According to reports, taking advantage of the crowd at the gurdwara, a Nihang Sikh allegedly approached Badal carrying a sharp-edged weapon and attempte

Tumbler Ridge School Shooting: Court Documents Reveal New Details

Court documents related to the mass shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in February have been made public, shedding new light on the mental state of 18-year-old shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar and confusion during the initial police response. The documents, released to a media outlet by a B.C. Provincial Court judge, indicate that Van Rootselaar was struggling with his mental health and had a strong interest in firearms. According to the report, the RCMP initially believed there could be two shooters after witnesses provided different names for the suspect. Police later determined that t

CanadaAug 13, 2026

Canada-US Trade Talks Near Critical Deadline as Tariff Threat Looms

Canada and the United States are at a critical point in their ongoing trade negotiations, with the August 19 deadline for avoiding new U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports fast approaching. Despite intensive discussions between officials from both countries, no agreement has been reached so far. Canadian officials are reportedly dissatisfied with Washington’s latest proposal, saying the offer falls well short of what Ottawa had been seeking. According to reports, the United States presented a new proposal on Tuesday that included reductions in tariffs on certain sectors. However, the proposed re

AlbertaAug 12, 2026

Alberta Could See Billions in Budget Surplus Amid High Oil Prices

The Alberta government is expected to record a budget surplus of billions of dollars this fiscal year, driven by higher crude oil prices. According to University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe, the province has already accumulated a $3.8-billion surplus so far this fiscal year. He said every $1-per-barrel change in oil prices can make a difference of about $680 million to the provincial treasury. Tombe estimates that if oil prices remain above $66 per barrel, Alberta could end up with a surplus of around $6 billion, instead of the previously projected $9.4-billion deficit. Alberta

trump-says-us-will-maintain-total-control-over-strait-of-hormuz

WorldAug 12, 2026

Trump says US will maintain ‘total control’ over Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz and said Washington intends to maintain that control. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump described the U.S. Navy’s blockade as a “wall of steel” and said there was nothing Iran could do about it. His comments come as shipping traffic through the strategic waterway has dropped sharply. Only eight vessels passed through the Strait on Tuesday, compared with around 130 to 140 vessels per day before the war. Iran, meanwhile, says full maritime traffic through

Related News

Canada-US Trade Talks Near Critical Deadline as Tariff Threat Looms

Canada-US Trade Talks Near Critical Deadline as Tariff Threat Looms

Canada and the United States are at a critical point in their ongoing trade negotiations, with the August 19 deadline for avoiding new U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports fast approaching. Despite intensive discussions between officials from both countries, no agreement has been reached so far. Canadian officials are reportedly dissatisfied with Washington’s latest proposal, saying the offer falls well short of what Ottawa had been seeking. According to reports, the United States presented a new proposal on Tuesday that included reductions in tariffs on certain sectors. However, the proposed re

Canada Announces $34 Million in Climate Funding for Communities

Canada Announces $34 Million in Climate Funding for Communities

The federal government has announced $34 million in funding to help communities across Canada deal with the impacts of climate change. The funding will support municipalities and local organizations in launching projects aimed at reducing the risks posed by natural disasters such as floods, wildfires and extreme heat. Federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin announced the funding in Halifax today, acknowledging that Canada’s climate is changing and that communities need to be better prepared for its impacts. According to Dabrusin, the funding will support 141 climate-related projects acro

Two Surveys Raise Concerns Over Canada’s Trade and Jobs

Two Surveys Raise Concerns Over Canada’s Trade and Jobs

Two recent surveys on Canada’s trade outlook have raised concerns about the impact on small businesses and employment. A survey released Wednesday by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says small Canadian exporters could face a revenue loss of at least 50 per cent if a new 50-per-cent tariff is imposed. Meanwhile, a separate survey conducted by Oxford Economics for the Canadian American Business Council has warned about the potential impact of the CUSMA trade agreement. According to the report, if CUSMA comes to an end, around 102,000 jobs in Canada could be at risk. The

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital