FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR/AP) — The convicted ringleader of an international human smuggling plot and one of his drivers is sentenced in federal court in Fergus Falls. Harshkumar Patel was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Steve Shand to 6 1/2 years. The two men were tried and convicted on four counts apiece last November. Their sentencing comes more…
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — An Indian national who survived a treacherous trek across the U.S.-Canada border in blizzard conditions testified Wednesday that he got separated from a family of four shortly before they froze to death. Yash Patel took the stand on the third day of the trial of Indian national Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, of Florida. Prosecutors…
This combination image shows left to right; undated photo released by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office shows Harshkumar Patel in Elk River, Minn., and undated photo released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Steve Shand. (AP Photo)FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A man convicted of human smuggling testified Tuesday that he shuttled more than 500 Indian migrants across…
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR) — It was a packed house at the courthouse full of people waiting for the jury selection. The case, for two men accused of being part of a criminal network that stretched around the world. Federal prosecutors say Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand were part of an operation that scouted clients in India arranging visas,…
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — Red Lake Nation’s Red Lake, Inc. will be participating in a trade mission to New Delhi, India at the end of the month. Red Lake is one of nearly four dozen businesses and organizations that will join USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor on the mission. They will be the only representative from a Native or Tribal…
(AP) — A man accused of recruiting the driver in a human smuggling operation has been arrested, more than two years after a family of four from India froze to death trying to enter the U.S. from Canada, authorities said. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 28, was arrested Wednesday in Chicago on a warrant issued in September, charging him with transportation of an…
FARGO, N.D. — The United States hitting 6 million COVID-19 cases out of 25 million globally. The U.S. leads the count followed by Brazil with 3.8 million and India with 3.5 million. The Midwest becoming a hotspot for new cases with Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota recently reporting record one-day increases. Many of the new cases in Iowa…
FARGO, N.D. — The Fargo Public Library is giving people an opportunity to look forward to spring with an Indian celebration. Area families are taking part in activities revolving around the Indian holiday of Holi. The holiday is known as a “festival of colors” and celebrates forgiveness, friendship, and the coming of spring. Organizers say people from all cultures are encouraged…
