U.S. Offers Reward for Arrest of Haitian Gang Leader

On August 12, 2025, the United States announced a $5 million reward for information that would lead to the capture of Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a Haitian gang leader.

This decision came after Cherizier and an unnamed man from North Carolina were charged with conspiring to breach U.S. sanctions.

“There’s a good reason that there’s a $5 million reward for information leading to Cherizier’s arrest,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated during a press conference. “He’s a gang leader responsible for heinous human rights abuses, including violence against American citizens in Haiti.”

The indictment, which was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on July 17, alleges that Cherizier and Bazile Richardson—also known as “Fredo Pam”—worked together to evade sanctions while raising funds for gang operations in Haiti. They reportedly solicited donations from the Haitian community in the U.S. to support gang member salaries and purchase weapons.

Richardson, who became a U.S. citizen, grew up in Haiti and currently resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

In 2020, Cherizier unified nine criminal factions in Port-au-Prince under the name “G9 Family and Allies.” This coalition later allied with opposing groups, forming “Viv Ansanm” (Living Together), which now wields significant power in the capital.

Human rights organizations have accused the gang’s members of severe violations, including massacres, sexual assaults, kidnappings for ransom, extortion, and arson.

Cherizier represents this coalition, which even branded itself a “political party” earlier this year. The Trump administration subsequently branded the group a terrorist organization.

Cherizier has faced U.S. Treasury Department sanctions since 2020 and United Nations sanctions since 2022. Although he could be extradited to the U.S., officials note that Haiti’s unstable security situation might hinder such efforts.