A 53-year-old dual Canadian-American citizen has admitted to her role in a high-stakes human smuggling operation that claimed the lives of a family of four.
Stephanie Square, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Territory, entered a guilty plea in a federal court for organizing a conspiracy that ended in tragedy in the freezing waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Square served as a primary organizer for an organization that moved individuals across the border between the United States and Canada.
According to court documents, the fatal journey began during the final week of March 2023 when a Canadian smuggler contacted Square to transport a Romanian family into the U.S..
The family included two small children, both under the age of 3, who were seeking a new life across the border.
Despite being warned of extreme weather conditions, including high winds and limited visibility, Square insisted the transport proceed so she could receive payment.
One co-conspirator initially refused to participate because the winds on the river were too dangerous that night.
Square then recruited a driver to take the family to a notorious staging area on Cornwall Island.
The family was eventually picked up by a boat pilot and attempted the crossing on the night of March 29, 2023.
The light blue boat capsized in the severe weather, resulting in the deaths of the entire Romanian family and the pilot.
Authorities from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service recovered the bodies of the family within days, while the pilot’s body was not found for several months.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division spoke on the inherent risks involved in such illegal crossings.
“Aliens attempting to enter the United States illegally across the U.S.-Canada border are exposed to a range of dangers at the hands of human smugglers trying to capitalize on the misfortunes and misplaced hopes of others,” Duva said.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York highlighted the commitment of his team to prosecuting these cases.
“This defendant and their co-conspirators showed a blatant disregard for human life, our laws, and the safety of our communities,” Sarcone said.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in Buffalo noted the extensive nature of the probe.
“After this smuggling attempt resulted in the death of a family, HSI Massena and our partners conducted a thorough investigation, tracking the conspirators, recovering evidence, and securing extraditions,” Patrone said.
Square pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and alien smuggling resulting in death.
She was extradited from Canada in 2025 to face the American justice system.
The U.S. Department of Justice indicated she faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars.
Several other co-conspirators have also entered guilty pleas in connection with the investigation.
The case was supported by Joint Task Force Alpha, a partnership designed to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
Sentencing for Square is currently scheduled for Nov. 25.