Haitian gang leader learns sentence for orchestrating kidnapping of 16 American missionaries

A man described by federal prosecutors as a Haitian gang leader was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for his role in orchestrating the hostage-taking of American citizens including five children Joly Germine of Croix-des-Bouquets Haiti was also ordered by the court to pay a fine of The Justice Department explained the casualties were part of the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries and were on their way back from working at an orphanage when they were taken hostage in Oct The missionary group included adults and five young children including a -year-old -year-old and an -month-old Sixteen of the casualties were U S citizens from Christian Aid Ministries disclosed D C U S Attorney Jeanine Pirro This sentencing makes clear that Germine s scheme to win freedom for himself by using Christians as pawns backfired US MARINES EXCHANGED GUNFIRE WITH SUSPECTED GANG MEMBERS IN HAITI OFFICIAL SAYSProsecutors announced in a court filing that Germine led the violent Haitian gang Mawozo while in prison directing the group s operations using unmonitored cell phones assertions he and his attorneys denied Germine allegedly was in constant touch with other Mawozo leaders most of of whom were his relatives and desired to secure his release from prison in exchange for the hostages The greater part of them were held at gunpoint for days until they escaped The Haitian cabinet transferred Germine from a Haitian jail into U S custody in May after an arrest warrant was issued This development shows that the Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to track down anyone who kidnaps a U S citizen abroad commented then-U S Attorney General Merrick Garland at the time We will utilize the full reach of our law enforcement personnel to hold accountable anyone responsible for undermining the safety of Americans anywhere in the world BLACKWATER FOUNDER ERIK PRINCE TEAMS WITH HAITIAN REGIME TO FIGHT GANG VIOLENCEGermine was sentenced last year to years in federal prison for his role in a gun trafficking conspiracy that involved smuggling firearms to Haiti and for laundering ransom money collected by the gang Ray Noecker whose wife Cheryl and five children were held hostage explained during sentencing that the ordeal was a life-changing experience for his family He described Germine he hopes he finds God s peace True freedom is not uncovered outside of prison walls True freedom is unveiled inside your own heart Noecker noted