Related Federal Cases
Deadly Alien Smuggling Conspiracy Unfolds in New York
A 45-year-old woman from Hogansburg, New York, has pleaded guilty to her role in a deadly alien smuggling conspiracy that left a family of four dead in the St. Lawrence River.
Janet Terrance, 45, conspired with five others to bring Indian and Romanian nationals into the United States for private financial gain. Her co-conspirators, Dakota Montour, 31, and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 43, both of whom reside on the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in New York, entered guilty pleas on January 23, 2025, and October 8, 2024, respectively.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon stated, ‘The defendant and her co-conspirators — fueled by greed, indifference, and recklessness — smuggled aliens via vehicle and boat across the U.S.-Canada border in dangerous weather conditions. They endangered the lives of two small children and their parents for profit, resulting in the family’s tragic deaths.’
Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon said, ‘A family of four died because a smuggling organization put them in harm’s way for profit. Our top priority is the prosecution and dismantling of smuggling organizations.’
According to court documents, Terrance, Montour, and Sharrow admitted to working with a human smuggling organization on the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation and in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, that smuggled aliens from mainland Cornwall, Ontario, to Cornwall Island, Ontario, and then into the Northern District of New York.
Terrance, 45, of Hogansburg, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, alien smuggling for financial gain, and alien smuggling resulting in death. The crime date was March 29, 2023. Terrance’s current status is pending sentencing. The case is a top priority for the Northern District of New York.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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