Haiti Faces Rising Gang Violence
The situation in Haiti is deteriorating, marked by escalating gang violence throughout the nation. This crisis is drawing attention as it intensifies.
In Washington, D.C., U.S. attorney Janine Pillo announced on Tuesday the indictment of Jimmy “Barbecue” Sherizier and Basil Richardson, a U.S. citizen, who are believed to have conspired to finance gang activities.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that Chérizier, currently a fugitive, is thought to be in Haiti. His associates, including Richardson, Fred Lion, Leo Danger, and Lepe Broad, were arrested on July 23 in Pasadena, Texas.
Pillo highlighted that Cherizier leads a gang responsible for numerous violent acts against Haitians.
The DOJ is contemplating pursuing the death penalty for a suspect connected to a D.C. shooting linked to a hate crime.
Court filings indicate that Chérizier was listed under the Magnitsky Act in 2020 due to alleged human rights abuses. Piro noted that this indictment is the first against an individual sanctioned under that law.
Richardson, who grew up in Haiti alongside Cherizier, later became a naturalized U.S. citizen and resided in North Carolina. He allegedly sent money to Cherizier, fully aware of its sanction status.
Piro criticized those supporting Cherizier, stating, “No one who sent money to him can claim ignorance about his status as sanctioned by the U.S. government. We will identify them as accomplices to these human rights violations.”
The State Department announced rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to Cherizier’s capture or conviction. Piro emphasized the importance of this reward, stating that Cherizier is a gang leader implicated in severe human rights crimes, including acts affecting American citizens in Haiti.
According to court documents, Cherizier, a former officer of the Haitian National Police, leads the G9 alliance, which has united several gangs opposing the Haitian government.
The indictment claims that after Cherizier’s sanction, he and Richardson conspired globally to fund Cherizier’s gang operations, violating existing sanctions. They allegedly solicited funds from the Haitian diaspora in the U.S.
The DOJ disclosed that after transferring funds for Cherizier’s benefit, conspirators exchanged images of Cherizier along with transfer receipts. These funds were reportedly used to pay gang members and acquire weapons from illegal sources in Haiti.
In May, the Trump administration labeled two powerful Haitian gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations to disrupt their operations and restore order in the region. This designation carries serious legal implications, as those providing substantial support to these gangs may face criminal charges or lose immigration benefits.
