More REWARD Money, Haitian gang leader

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

November 25, 2023 – The reward money for anyone who has information leading to the arrest and capture of a notorious Haitian gang leader has been increased as nearby nations work to ease the humanitarian crises in the Republic.

The U.S. Department of State of the U.S. Embassy in Haiti made the announcement, featured in a press release by the Embassy.

The gang leader called Vitel’Innocent, is being targeted for conspiring to take part in a transnational organized crime on October 16th, involving a group of Christian missionaries, the embassy says.

“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, armed members of Innocent’s gang kidnapped two elderly U.S. citizens residing in Torcelle, Haiti, resulting in the death of one of the kidnap victims.  Innocent was charged as a co-conspirator in both kidnappings.”

This came after the gang leader made the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List and after the Department of Justice announced an indictment for his actions.

The FBI on its Facebook says Innocent, the leader of the Kraze Barye gang, is the 532nd person added to the list.

Additionally, the embassy reaffirmed the support from the US to strengthen rule of law throughout Haiti, and conduct rule of law.