One of Haiti’s Most Notorious Gang Leaders Faces US Charges
Jimmy Cherizier, a well-known Haitian gang leader nicknamed “Barbecue,” has been indicted in the United States on charges related to terrorism, arms trafficking, and extortion. The U.S. Justice Department announced Tuesday that Cherizier, 48, and American national Bazile Richardson (also known as Leo Danger), also 48, are accused of soliciting funds from the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. to support gang activity and illegally purchase firearms, in violation of U.S. sanctions, according to the BBC.
Cherizier leads the Viv Ansanm (“Live Together”) gang, which the U.S. has designated a foreign terrorist organization. The group is linked to kidnappings, murders, and attacks on Haiti’s infrastructure. Among the most serious allegations is Cherizier’s reported role in a 2018 massacre in the La Saline neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, where dozens were killed, women were raped, and hundreds of homes were destroyed.
“He’s a gang leader responsible for heinous human rights abuses, including violence against American citizens in Haiti,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro at a press conference Tuesday.
Once an elite police officer, Cherizier was dismissed from the force in 2018. He has consistently denied involvement in the killings and violence attributed to him.
The U.S. government is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to Cherizier’s arrest. If apprehended, he could face extradition to the United States.
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