The Department of State announces an increase in the reward of up to $2 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Haitian national Vitel'homme Innocent [Leader of the "Kraze Barye" gang in Torcelle ] for conspiring to participate or attempting to participate in transnational organized crime.

This announcement coincides with the FBI's announcement that Innocent was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and follows the Justice Department's announcement of an indictment against Innocent for conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death, and other charges.

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.

On October 16, 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang engaged in a plot to kidnap sixteen American Christian missionaries and one Canadian missionary and hold them for ransom https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35037-haiti-flash-the-gang-400-mawozo-demands-one-million-dollars-for-the-release-of-each-american-hostage.html . Then, on October 7, 2022, armed members of Innocent's gang kidnapped two elderly American citizens residing in Torcelle, Haiti, resulting in the death of one of the kidnapping victims https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40810-haiti-usa-the-leader-of-the-kraze-barye-gang-risks-the-death-penalty.html . Innocent was charged as a co-conspirator in both kidnappings.

The United States supports the efforts of our Haitian law enforcement partners to enforce rule of law in Haiti and combat transnational organized crime.

Any information in response to the reward offer should be directed by telephone to +1-800-225-5324 or to the FBI online at:Tips.FBI.Gov.

Download the Vitel’homme Innocent sheet (PDF in English): https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/vitelhomme-innocent_EN.pdf

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40810-haiti-usa-the-leader-of-the-kraze-barye-gang-risks-the-death-penalty.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35037-haiti-flash-the-gang-400-mawozo-demands-one-million-dollars-for-the-release-of-each-american-hostage.html

HL/ HaitiLibre