The leader of a Haitian gang that allegedly abducted 16 U.S. voters and killed one in every other incident has been put at the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, the company introduced Wednesday.
Vitel’Homme Innocent used to be indicted for allegedly main a gang that helped within the 2021 armed hostage-taking of 16 Christian missionaries serving close to Port-au-Price, Haiti.
Most had been held captive for 61 days ahead of escaping. The crew incorporated 5 kids, one as younger as 8 months previous on the time of the abduction.
Innocent used to be allegedly the leader of the The Kraze Barye gang, and the FBI is providing a $2 million praise for any information main to his seize.
In every other indictment unsealed in October 2023, Innocent is said to have participated in a 2d hostage-taking incident during which one U.S. citizen used to be killed.
In this sought after posting launched via the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Haitian gang leader Vitel’Homme Innocent used to be added to its Ten Most Wanted List, Nov. 15, 2023, for the 2021 kidnapping of 16 U.S. missionaries and the slaying of every other in 2022 and the abduction of that missionary’s husband.
Federal Bureau of Investigation/AP
Officials say Marie Odette Franklin used to be allegedly shot and killed via the gang participants. Her husband used to be allegedly taken into captivity and held at an undisclosed location in Haiti. While Jean Franklin used to be in captivity, Vitel’Homme allegedly participated in ransom negotiations in alternate for his free up.
On Oct. 28, 2022, Jean Franklin used to be launched from captivity following ransom bills made to the gang on behalf of his circle of relatives.
“Haitian gang leader Vitel’Homme Innocent is the 532nd fugitive added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of U.S. citizens in Haiti,” mentioned Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge on the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
“The State Department is offering a reward of up to $2,000,0000 for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. Our resolve to bring him to account for his alleged crimes will not waver. I want to thank the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for their close cooperation and partnership investigating these cases,” Veltri mentioned in a remark.
Innocent is thought to be in Haiti, however has different ties to different Caribbean international locations, the FBI mentioned.
“With the addition of Vitel’Homme Innocent to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, our government has sent a strong message that we will work together to guarantee the capture and prosecution of any individual set on causing harm to our civilians and our nation,” mentioned Phillippe Furstenberg, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Miami Field Office.
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