Texans Charged in Disturbing Haiti Plot
Two Texans have reportedly led a group of homeless individuals to a small island in Haiti, where they intended to carry out a horrifying plan involving murder and sexual enslavement, according to federal prosecutors.
Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, face serious charges including conspiracy to commit murder, serious bodily injury, and kidnapping outside of the United States, all allegedly driven by a disturbing fantasy. The announcement was made by federal authorities on Thursday.
Prosecutors allege that the two men acquired yachts, firearms, and ammunition while looking to recruit other members for their disturbing mission. They are accused of orchestrating an invasion of Gonabe Island, using homeless people as mercenaries as part of their coup. This island, they claimed, has a population near 100,000 people.
Federal officials noted that Weisenburg and Thomas aimed to eliminate all the men on the island, intending to convert the women and children into sex slaves.
While investigating, authorities also revealed that Thomas joined the U.S. Air Force, likely to gain necessary skills for their violent endeavor.
The two were reportedly engaged in several preparatory actions for their invasion plan, such as developing operational plans and even learning some Haitian Creole.
Weisenburg’s indictment included enlisting in the North Texas Fire Academy to study military protocols and traveling to Thailand for sailing lessons.
Thomas also manipulated his military assignment, transferring from Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, presumably to be nearer to possible recruits from homeless communities in the D.C. area.
Additionally, both individuals are charged with encouraging minors to produce child pornography, which was subsequently discovered on their devices.
The planned attack was on Gonabe Island, located in the Gulf of Port-au-Prince, known as the largest island off Hispaniola’s coast. Despite its picturesque beaches, the local population endures significant hardship and hunger.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, assault, and kidnapping, Weisenburg and Thomas could face life imprisonment. The charges relating to child pornography carry up to 30 years, with a minimum sentence of 15 years.
