Leader of Haitian gang charged with kidnapping 17 missionaries
The leader of a violent gang in Haiti has been charged with orchestrating the kidnapping of 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group last year.
One Canadian and 16 Americans were captured in October 2021 by the 400 Mawozo gang in Croix-des-Bouquets, a northeast suburb outside the nation’s capital city of Port-au-Prince, which is part of the region controlled by the criminal organization. The volunteer group, made up of 12 adults and five children, including an 8-month-old, had just visited an orphanage as part of their mission work through Christian Aid Ministries when they ambushed by a group of gunmen.
Joly Germine, who is accused of directing and controlling the operation, including the gang’s ransom demands, is the first to be charged in relation to the hostage situation. In addition to requesting $1 million for each missionary, the 400 Mawozo also sought to secure Germine’s release from prison in exchange for the hostage’s freedom.
The suspected gang leader was indicted on Tuesday by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for conspiracy to commit hostage taking, according to a press release from the Justice Department.
It comes less than a week after the 29-year-old suspect was extradited to the United States to face a series of weapons trafficking charges. Prior to his arrival on Friday, Germine had been in custody in Haiti since 2018. In the previous indictment, Justice Department officials alleged that he had still been running the 400 Mowazo gang from prison via “unmonitored” cell phones.
“This case shows that the Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to track down anyone who kidnaps a U.S. citizen abroad,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“We will utilize the full reach of our law enforcement authorities to hold accountable anyone responsible for undermining the safety of Americans anywhere in the world.”
In the end, all of the hostages were released unharmed.
The first two Christian Aid missionaries were released in November and another three were freed in early December. Later the same month, the remaining 12 hostages managed to escape.
It’s not clear whether any of the funds were paid.
