Haiti Gang Leader Connected to Kidnappings, Weapons Smuggling, Sentenced
A leader of a notoriously violent gang in Haiti that kidnapped U.S. citizens and used laundered ransom money to buy weapons is headed to federal prison for 35 years.
31-year-old Joly Germine was sentenced in late June. He pleaded guilty in January 2024, after the U.S. government rested its case at trial.
His girlfriend and co-conspirator Eliane Tunis, was earlier sentenced to more than 12 years behind bars.
The duo faced a slew of charges related to weapons trafficking and money laundering.
“The leaders of violent gangs in Haiti that terrorize Americans citizens in order to fuel their criminal activity will be met with the full force of the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in statement.
Germine was a ringleader of “400 Mawozo” a gang that is known for kidnappings, weapons trafficking, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes in eastern Port-au-Prince.
Prosecutors say the gang used ransom money paid for kidnapped U.S. citizens to buy weapons and then smuggle the weapons back into Haiti.
From his Haiti prison cell, Germine allegedly directed Tunis, and other conspirators, to buy the weapons in Florida. At least 24 weapons were smuggled into Haiti, including AK-47s, AR-15s, an M4 Carbine rifle, an M1A rifle, and a .50 caliber rifle
“The 400 Mawazo gang not only wreaks havoc in its own communities but targets innocent Americans living and traveling in Haiti. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to target the leadership and take down any violent criminal group who preys upon Americans abroad and uses unlawful and dangerous tactics like weapons-trafficking and kidnapping to further their criminal enterprise,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray in a statement.
Among the crimes connected to 400 Mawazo: the 2021 kidnapping of 17 missionaries, 16 of which were U.S. citizens. 12 of the captives escaped and five others were previously freed, although it’s unclear if ransom was paid.
Germine will be tried on the kidnapping charges later.
The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement.