The FBI recently added a Haitian gang leader to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for the kidnapping and murder of American missionaries in Haiti. However, the capture of Vitel’Homme Innocent, also known by his first name only, will be a challenging task due to the lawlessness of the nation.
In conjunction with this announcement, the U.S. State Department revealed that it would provide up to $2 million for information leading to Vitel’Homme’s arrest. He has been indicted in the United States for the armed kidnapping of 16 Christian missionaries in 2021, as well as the killing of missionary Marie Franklin and the capture of her husband, Jean, in 2022.
Although most of the kidnapped Christian missionaries managed to escape after 61 days, and the others were eventually released, Jean Franklin was only released after three weeks when his family paid a ransom. The FBI believes that Vitel’Homme leads the Kraze Bayre gang and collaborated with the 400 Mawozo gang in the abductions. They also suspect that he is still in Haiti and would face a possible death sentence if convicted in the U.S.
During a news conference, Jeffrey B. Veltri, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami office, described Vitel’Homme as a “menace to the island” and a threat to American citizens. Veltri acknowledged that capturing Vitel’Homme would be challenging, especially given the chaotic state of Haiti. Just the day before, a heavily armed gang had taken hundreds of women, children, and newborns hostage at a hospital.
The gangs in Haiti have become more powerful than the government following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and are equipped with better weapons than the police. Despite previous U.N. sanctions and charges filed by U.S. authorities, gang leaders continue to operate with impunity.
Efforts to address the gang crisis in Haiti were further complicated when a United Nations Security Council vote to send a multinational force led by Kenya to help fight the gangs encountered resistance. The situation has been challenging, and the ongoing process of locating Vitel’Homme Innocent presents unique obstacles in Haiti.