The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Haitian gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier with federal conspiracy to funnel U.S. funds to his violent gang, offering a $5 million reward for his arrest. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the indictment in Washington, D.C., highlighting Chérizier’s role in orchestrating attacks and human rights abuses in Haiti, including the 2018 La Saline massacre, which saw 71 deaths and widespread destruction. The charges mark the first case involving an individual sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act, as Chérizier was sanctioned in 2020 for his role in the atrocities.
Chérizier, also known as Bazile Richardson, was a co-defendant in the case. Richardson, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested in Pasadena, Texas. The DOJ emphasized that individuals supporting Chérizier will be prosecuted, as they knowingly funded his gang’s violent activities. Chérizier’s gang, part of the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies, was a key player in the Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which opposed Haiti’s government. The Trump administration previously designated Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations, aiming to disrupt their operations and restore order in Haiti.
Pirro highlighted the international sanctions against Chérizier, who was sanctioned in 2020 for his role in the La Saline massacre and other abuses. The Justice Department’s indictment marks the first case involving an individual sanctioned under this act. The State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program now offers a $5 million reward for information leading to Chérizier’s arrest, underscoring the gravity of his crimes and the U.S. government’s commitment to accountability. The indictment alleges that Chérizier and Richardson coordinated a conspiracy to raise funds in the U.S., Haiti, and other countries, sending the money via intermediaries in Haiti. Chérizier used these funds to pay salaries to his gang members and acquire illicit firearms, escalating the cycle of violence in Haiti.