Former Haitian Gang Boss Kidnaps 17 US Missionaries Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison
JAKARTA - Miami court, United States (US), sentenced Germine "Yonyon" Joly, a former well-known gang leader in Haitiz 400 Mawozo, to 35 years in prison.
Yonyon was found guilty of laundering the ransom for the kidnapping and illegal trade of US firearms to Haiti, reported by Reuters, Tuesday, June 25.
Joly admitted in his defense documents earlier this year that he was involved in the US arms smuggling plan to Haiti and helped transfer funds, some of which came from ransoms obtained from the kidnapping of US citizens.
The 400 Mawozo gang became famous in April 2021 when they kidnapped five Catholic priests and two nuns, including two French nationals.
Six months later, they kidnapped 17 US and Canadian missionaries, including five children.
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The current gang leader, Joseph Wilson, known as Lanmo Sanjou, is on the FBI's most wanted list for his involvement in the 2021 kidnapping with prizes of up to 1 million US dollars.
US prosecutors said Joly's senpi smuggling scheme had resulted in the purchase of 24 firearms, including AK-47, AR-15, M4 Carbine rifles, M1A rifles, and 50 caliber rifles.
The leaders of violent gangs in Haiti who terrorize Americans to trigger their criminal activities will be dealt with with with with full force from the Department of Justice, US Attorney General Total Garland said in a statement.