The two defendants convicted in a human smuggling case continue to argue for their innocence, filing separate motions for acquittal or new trials to the U.S. District Court in Fergus Falls on Friday.

Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand stood trial on charges they were involved in the operation that resulted in a family of four from India freezing to death as they attempted to cross the U.S-Canada border in January 2022.

A federal jury found Patel and Shand guilty on all four counts related to human smuggling in November.

The defendants argue there is insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The evidence submitted in Court at trial was woefully deficient and the government has failed to meet its burden of proof,” reads Patel’s motion.

Both defendants allege the government did not share materials in a timely manner that may have impacted the credibility of prosecution witnesses, preventing their right to a fair and just trial.

Patel and Shand are currently scheduled for sentencing on March 31. They face up to 10 or 20 years in prison on each count.

— MPR News

Sanford sanctioned over wage violations

South Dakota-based Sanford Health will be required to pay unpaid wages and damages to an employee after a state investigation in Minnesota found the company cut her hours during pregnancy and then fired her, violating state law.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry found Sanford, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., willfully violated Minnesota’s Women’s Economic Security Act, according to a press release. The investigation found that Sanford reduced a pregnant employee’s hours from 40 hours a week to 32, then fired her after she requested 12 weeks of parental leave.

On Nov. 18, the Department of Labor and Industry and Sanford entered into a consent order requiring Sanford to comply with Minnesota laws that provide pregnant employees with reasonable accommodations and pregnancy and parental leave. Sanford human resources staff members, managers and supervisors will also be required to attend annual Women’s Economic Security Act training for two years, the release said.

Along with paying the employee $6,960 for unpaid wages and damages, the company will also have to pay $40,000 in civil penalties for violating Minnesota law, the consent order said.

Sanford Health responded to the Department of Labor and Industry findings in a statement issued Thursday.

“At Sanford Health, our employees are our most valuable asset, and we do everything we can to ensure a positive workplace culture where our team members feel appreciated, heard and supported. We have fully cooperated with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s investigation regarding one specific leave of absence and accommodation, and while we disagree with the Department’s findings, we wish to focus our efforts on continually seeking to improve our employees’ work experience,” the statement read. “To that end, we have worked with our third-party leave administrator to ensure proper leave processing and will be implementing additional training. We have a long track record of investing in our people and their well-being and continue to make that a top priority.”

— Forum News Service

Man killed in New Year’s fall from roof

A Stearns County man died on New Year’s Eve when he fell from the roof of a shed in Little Falls.

Dale Schlangen, 65, of Belgrade, was helping family members work on a pole shed when he fell, according to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office.

The fall occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at a residence on 110th Avenue, about four miles southwest of Little Falls.

Schlangen slipped on the rafters and fell to the ground, according to the sheriff’s office. Family members and responders performed first aid and lifesaving efforts at the scene, but Schlangen was pronounced dead.

The incident remains under investigation.

— Forum News Service