Haitian Gang Leader Charged with Hostage Taking Offenses that Resulted in the Death of a U.S. Citizen in Haiti in October 2022

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – An indictment, filed in the District of Columbia, was unsealed today charging Vitel’homme Innocent, a Haitian national and leader of the Kraze Barye gang, for his alleged role in the October 2022 armed hostage taking, in Haiti, of two U.S. citizens, one of whom was killed during the event.

According to the indictment, Innocent and the Kraze Barye gang operate in the Ouest department of Haiti to include Delmas, Torcelle, and Tabarre. The gang actively participates in kidnappings for ransom, extortion, and car thefts.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/haitian-gang-leader-charged-hostage-taking-offenses-resulted-death-us-citizen-haiti-october

https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-10/vitelhomme-innocent_wanted_poster.pdf

https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-10/innocent-haiti-rewardposter_updated.pdf