A 21-year-old Indian national, Aryan Deshwal, has pleaded guilty in the US to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and five counts of alien smuggling, following a failed attempt to transport undocumented individuals across the US-Canada border. The announcement was made by Acting US Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia of the US Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector on August 19.
According to court documents, the incident took place on 21 November 2024, when Deshwal picked up five individuals who had just illegally crossed into the US from Canada.
When US Border Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle, Deshwal tried to evade authorities and sped away. A brief pursuit followed, but agents slowed their chase. Deshwal soon lost control of the vehicle, which rolled over multiple times, flipped onto its side and caught fire.
All occupants, including Deshwal, were transported to a hospital in Plattsburgh, New York. One of the passengers required emergency surgery due to the injuries sustained in the crash.
“This case illustrates the dangers of alien smuggling, and how smuggling networks put people and federal agents in harm’s way for profit. Aryan Deshwal endangered the lives of the illegal aliens he picked up, the Border Patrol agents who were trying to stop him, and other people on the road. Thankfully, he was arrested, prosecuted and will be held accountable for his crimes,” said John A. Sarcone III.
Patrol Agent in Charge, Raymond Bresnahan, of the Champlain Border Patrol Station added, “This reckless act underscores the very real dangers of human smuggling and epitomizes the fact that smugglers do not care about the countless lives they put at risk in order to make a quick profit. Thankfully our agents were nearby to render emergency aid to the victims of this harrowing event.”
Deshwal is scheduled to be sentenced on 16 December 2025. He faces a minimum of five years and up to 15 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a judge, taking into account the specific statutes, the US Sentencing Guidelines, and other relevant factors. The case was investigated by US Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Douglas Collyer.
