US offers a $2M prize for information of Haitian gang Leader
US offers a $2M prize for information of Haitian gang Leader
The United States Department of State has declared an increase in the reward offered, up to $2 million, for information that results in the arrest and/or conviction of Vitel’homme Innocent, a national of Haiti, for conspiring to engage in or attempt to engage in transnational organized crime.
According to a statement released by the Department on Wednesday, this news followed the Department of Justice’s announcement of an indictment against Innocent on charges including conspiracy to commit hostage-taking that results in death. It also coincided with the FBI’s announcement of Innocent’s addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List.
“On October 16, 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang engaged in a conspiracy to kidnap sixteen U.S. Christian missionaries and one Canadian missionary and held them for ransom.
Then, on October 7, 2022, two elderly American residents living in Torcelle, Haiti, were abducted by armed members of Innocent’s gang; as a result, one of the abduction victims passed away.
Innocent was accused of participating in both kidnappings with others. According to the statement, “the United States supports our Haitian law enforcement partners’ efforts to enforce the rule of law in Haiti and combat transnational organized crime.”
