Tuesday, October 24, 2023, an indictment filed in the District of Columbia and made public accuses Haitian national Vitel'homme Innocent, leader of the "Kraze Barye" gang, for his alleged role in the armed hostage-taking of two citizens Americans in Haiti in October 2022, during which one of the Americans was killed.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Miami Office, Jeffrey B. Veltri.

According to the indictment, Vitel'homme Innocent and the "Krazye Barye" gang operate in the West Department of Haiti, including Delmas, Torcelle and Tabarre. The gang actively participates in kidnappings for ransom, extortion and car thefts.

Vitel'homme Innocent ordered gang members to kidnap Jean Franklin and Marie Odette Franklin from their home in Haiti on October 7, 2022. On that date, armed gang members forced entry into the Franklin residence and attempted to remove the couple by force. During the kidnapping, Marie Odette Franklin was killed by the gang members. Her husband was taken captive and held at an undisclosed location in Haiti. While Jean Franklin was in captivity, Vitel'homme Innocent participated in ransom negotiations in exchange for the release of Jean Franklin who was released on October 28, 2022, after ransom payments were made on behalf of Franklin's family.

"We remain steadfast in our mission to hold accountable those behind the violent crimes committed against American citizens in Haiti," said U.S. Attorney Graves. "Gangs and gang leaders in Haiti must be held accountable for their atrocities against innocent civilians. We will use every method at our disposal to arrest and prosecute those who commit such heinous acts."

"The indictment released today demonstrates the FBI's commitment to following the evidence wherever it leads and working its way to the leaders of criminal conspiracies wherever they may be found," said Special Agent in Charge Veltri. "Neither time nor distance will weaken our resolve. We will use every tool available and we will go to the ends of the globe to bring to justice those who seek to harm Americans."

Vitel'homme Innocent is still on the run and is believed to be residing in Tabarre, Haiti. He faces additional charges in the District of Columbia related to his role in the kidnapping of 16 U.S. citizens during the fall of 2021, for which he was indicted https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35012-haiti-flash-at-least-fifteen-american-missionaries-kidnapped-in-port-au-prince.html If found guilty, Vitel'homme Innocent faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Field Office in Miami, with the assistance of the FBI Legal Attaché's office in Haiti, and with the valuable assistance of the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Federal Attorney Jack F. Korba.

Let's remember that in the United States, the charges contained in an indictment are only allegations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38122-haiti-usa-infos-of-vitel-homme-innocent-how-to-submit-your-information.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35658-haiti-flash-a-ransom-was-paid-for-the-release-of-american-hostages.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35012-haiti-flash-at-least-fifteen-american-missionaries-kidnapped-in-port-au-prince.html

SL/ HaitiLibre