Vitel'Homme Innocent (French pronunciation: [vitɛlɔm inɔsɑ̃]; born March 27, 1986) is a Haitian gang leader who was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on November 15, 2023, for his role in the 2021 Haitian missionary kidnappings.[1][2][3] A reward of up to 2 million dollars is offered for information leading to his capture.[4]
| Vitel'Homme Innocent | |
|---|---|
 Undated photograph of Innocent | |
| FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive | |
| Charges |
|
| Reward | $2,000,000 |
| Description | |
| Born | March 27, 1986 Haiti |
| Nationality | Haitian |
| Race | Black |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) – 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 150 lb (68 kg) |
| Status | |
| Added | November 15, 2023 |
| Number | 532 |
| Currently a Top Ten Fugitive | |
Personal life
editInnocent was born on March 27, 1986, in Haiti.[5] Originally a political activist, he still maintains ties to grassroots political movements in Haiti.[6] In a 2024 interview with CNN, he described himself as a former small business owner and stated that his "dream is to get rid of the oligarchs who prevent [Haiti] from progressing".[7]
Crimes
editInnocent is the leader of the Kraze Baryé gang, which as of May 2024, participated in the Viv Ansanm alliance of Haitian gangs. The alliance also includes the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies and 400 Mawozo.[8]
Since at least July 2021, Innocent has had an agreement with Joly "Yonyon" Germine, senior leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, to work cooperatively in the Croix-des-Bouquets area.[9]
On October 24, 2023, Innocent was charged with ordering the October 2022 kidnapping of an American couple which left the woman, Marie Odette Franklin, dead.[10] In January 2023, he killed four police officers in Pétion-Ville.[11] He is accused of the 2021 Haitian missionary kidnappings.[12]
On November 15, 2023, Innocent was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, replacing Michael James Pratt, a pornographer accused of sex trafficking and child pornography offences who had been captured in 2022. In a 2024 interview, Innocent expressed willingness to defend himself in a US court.[13]
Sanctions
editOn December 8, 2023, both the United States and the United Nations Security Council placed Innocent on their respective economic sanctions lists.[14] On January 20, 2024, the European Union also placed sanctions on Innocent.[15]
References
edit- ^ Scouten, Ted (2023-11-15). "Haitian gang leader Vitel'Homme Innocent added to FBI's list of 10 Most Wanted - CBS Miami". CBS News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Spencer, Terry (2023-11-15). "Haitian gang leader added to FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for kidnapping and killing Americans". AP News. Archived from the original on 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Barr, Luke. "Haitian gang leader accused of helping kidnap, kill Americans added to FBI's Most Wanted Fugitives list". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Chéry, Onz (2023-11-16). "FBI puts Haiti's Vitel'Homme on 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, offers $2M reward". The Haitian Times. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ "WANTED: VITEL'HOMME INNOCENT REWARD OF UP TO $1 MILLION" (PDF). US Embassy of Haiti. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Shuldiner, Henry (13 March 2023). "Haiti's Notorious Gang Leader, Vitel'Homme Innocent, Named in Presidential Killing". InSight Crime. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Culver, Caitlin Stephen Hu, David (29 April 2024). "Gangs forced out Haiti's government. This FBI 'Most Wanted' gang leader claims they're liberating the country". CNN. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Culver, Caitlin Stephen Hu, David (29 April 2024). "Gangs forced out Haiti's government. This FBI 'Most Wanted' gang leader claims they're liberating the country". CNN. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Vitel’Homme Innocent Archived 2024-08-27 at the Wayback Machine US Department of State
- ^ Whitehurst, Lindsay (2023-10-24). "Haitian gang leader charged with ordering kidnapping of U.S. couple that left woman dead". CTV News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Lemaire, Sandra; Vilme, Matiado (2023-01-26). "Panic Grips Haiti as Police Attack PM's Residence, Storm Airport". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Ellsworth, Brian. "U.S. charges Haitian gang leaders for 2021 missionary kidnapping". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-11-07. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Culver, Caitlin Stephen Hu, David (29 April 2024). "Gangs forced out Haiti's government. This FBI 'Most Wanted' gang leader claims they're liberating the country". CNN. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "UN, US slap sanctions on four Haiti gang leaders". Reuters. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Haiti - EU Sanctions : "Vitelom" Leader of the "Kraze Barye" Gang and reasons for the sanctions (4-4) - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7". www.haitilibre.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
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