In Miami, United States, on Monday, June 24, a court sentenced Haiti gang leader Germine Joly, also known as Yongyong, to 35 years in prison.
Joly, the former head of the notorious Haitian gang 400 Mawozo, received the sentence for his involvement in orchestrating kidnappings and illegally trafficking firearms from the US to Haiti.
The US Department of Justice confirmed his sentencing, revealing that Joly was accused of purchasing at least 24 firearms from the United States.
Among the firearms acquired were military-grade weapons and close-quarters combat arms such as AK-47s, AR-15s, an M4 Carbine rifle, an M1A rifle, and a .50 calibre rifle.
According to the US Department of Justice, Germane purchased the firearms using funds laundered from the proceeds of the hostage-taking for the ransom of US citizens in Haiti in 2021.
“Joly Germine is being held accountable for his role in smuggling weapons into Haiti using funds laundered from the ransoms of kidnapped American citizens,” said US FBI Director Christopher Wray.
“The 400 Mawozo gang not only wreaks havoc in its communities but targets innocent Americans living and travelling in Haiti,” he added.
On January 31, this year, the 35-year-old Haitian national, pleaded guilty to the 48 counts including conspiracy to violate the US export control laws.
Germine was also charged with defrauding the United States, smuggling, and laundering the proceeds of ransoms paid to free US hostages.
The case involved testimonies by 24 witnesses and two weeks of submission of evidence against the accused.
Germine was arraigned alongside three other gang members who were also charged on similar accounts and sentenced to different periods in prison.
“As Joly Germine has just learned, the FBI is dedicated to disrupting and dismantling gangs who undertake hostage-taking of U.S. Citizens anywhere,” noted FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey.
