Federal prosecutors have unsealed a criminal complaint charging Haitian national Johnson Andre, better known as “Izo,” the 27-year-old boss of the 5 Segond gang, with the armed kidnapping of a United States citizen near Port-au-Prince in March 2023. According to the charges, Andre ordered his gunmen to seize the victim at gunpoint, transport him to the gang’s stronghold of Village de Dieu, and subject him to torture, including beatings and being burned with molten plastic. The victim was held captive for nine days while Andre personally negotiated a ransom with the family. The hostage was released after the ransom was paid in cash and valuables.
Andre remains at large in Haiti. He was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury in December 2023 for his role in serious human rights abuses and criminal activity. If convicted, Andre could face life in prison.
This case reflects a growing international effort to hold Haitian gang leaders accountable, but also exposes the larger issue at hand, Haiti’s gang crisis, which has overwhelmed the country and left much of the capital under criminal control.
A Snapshot of Haiti’s Most Notorious Gang Leaders
Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier – G9 an Fanmi / Viv Ansanm
A former police officer turned warlord, Chérizier is the founder of the G9 gang federation, later merging with rival G-Pèp to form the broader coalition Viv Ansanm. He controls vital parts of Port-au-Prince, including key fuel depots and infrastructure, and has long been accused of mass killings and other atrocities.
Wilson Joseph, alias “Lanmò San Jou” – 400 Mawozo
Leader of the gang based in Croix-des-Bouquets, Joseph is known for organizing mass kidnappings, including the 2021 abduction of 17 foreign missionaries. His gang operates like a paramilitary force and has long been linked to cross-border arms trafficking.
Vitel’Homme Innocent – Kraze Barye
Operating from the Carrefour-Feuilles area, Innocent commands hundreds of heavily armed men. He is accused of orchestrating multiple high-profile kidnappings, including attacks on American citizens. He remains one of the most sought-after criminals in the region.
Gabriel Jean-Pierre, alias “Ti Gabriel” – G-Pèp
Once a rival of G9, Ti Gabriel eventually joined the Viv Ansanm coalition. His gang is based in Cité Soleil and is known for violent turf wars, attacks on humanitarian convoys, and blockades that cripple the capital’s movement of goods.
Renel Destina, alias “Ti Lapli” – Grand Ravine
Heavily armed and entrenched in Martissant, Ti Lapli’s gang controls the southern exit from Port-au-Prince. His group is accused of mass killings, hijackings, and preventing access to the southern peninsula, strangling regional trade and aid delivery.
Claudy Célestin, alias “Chen Mechan” – Chen Mechan gang
Based in Tabarre and parts of the industrial area, Chen Mechan was once affiliated with G9. Although recent police raids have disrupted his operations, Célestin remains active and continues to exert influence over key industrial zones.
Luckson Elan, aka “General Luckson” – Gran Grif
Gran Grif dominates parts of the Artibonite Valley, extorting farmers and hijacking food shipments. The gang is behind numerous massacres and has virtually paralyzed Haiti’s main agricultural region through terror and racketeering.
Johnson Andre, aka “Izo” – 5 Segond
From Village de Dieu, Izo’s gang controls parts of Port-au-Prince’s southern entry points. Known for extreme brutality, the gang finances itself through kidnapping, arms trafficking, and extortion. Izo’s recent criminal complaint in the U.S. adds international pressure, but he remains one of the most powerful and dangerous figures in Haiti’s criminal landscape.
The Bigger Picture
Izo’s indictment is a step forward in addressing gang violence in Haiti, but it underscores a far deeper crisis. The country remains in a state of collapse, with gangs filling the power vacuum left by a crumbling government. While international interventions, including a Kenya-led security mission, offer some hope, many fear these efforts are too little, too late against heavily armed and deeply rooted criminal networks.
As Haiti awaits political stability and stronger security support, the population continues to suffer from widespread violence, hunger, and fear, under the rule of gang bosses who act with near-total impunity.
Lidè Gang Ayisyen “Izo” Akize nan Yon Ka Kidnaping Ozetazini, Mete Limyè sou Kriz Gang k’ap Gaye ann Ayiti
Pwokirè federal yo mete deyò yon plent kriminèl kont sitwayen ayisyen Johnson Andre, plis konnen kòm “Izo,” ki se chèf gang 5 Segond lan. Li akize pou kidnapin yon sitwayen ameriken ak zam nan mwa mas 2023 toupre Pòtoprens. Daprè otorite ameriken yo, Andre te bay lòd pou bandi li yo kidnape viktim nan anba men zam epi mennen li nan baz gang lan nan Village de Dieu. Pandan nèf jou detansyon, viktim lan sibi sevè, bat, e boule ak plastik chofe. Pandan tan sa a, Andre te dirèkteman patisipe nan negosyasyon ranson ak fanmi viktim lan. Apre fanmi an peye ranson an ak lòt valè, gang lan lage viktim lan.
Andre poko arete e yo kwè li toujou ap viv nan Village de Dieu. Depi desanm 2023, li sou lis sanksyon Depatman Trezò Ameriken pou abi dwa moun ak aktivite kriminèl. Si li kondane, li ka resevwa yon santans prizon avi lavi.
Ka sa mete aksan sou efò entènasyonal pou mennen lidè gang ayisyen yo devan lajistis, men li montre tou yon pwoblèm pi laj—kriz gang ki fin vale Ayiti epi mete kapital la anba kontwòl kriminèl.
Gade Pi Lwen sou Pi Gwo Lidè Gang Ayiti yo
Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier – G9 an Fanmi / Viv Ansanm
Ansyen polisye sa a tounen yon lidè gang ki mete sou pye G9 an 2020 epi fè l ini ak G-Pèp pou fòme Viv Ansanm. Li kontwole zòn estratejik nan Pòtoprens, tankou depo gaz ak aks prensipal yo. Li akize pou masak e zak kraze brize, men plizyè tantativ pou arete l pa abouti.
Wilson Joseph, alyas “Lanmò San Jou” – 400 Mawozo
Gang sa baze nan zòn Croix-des-Bouquets epi li vin popilè pou kidnapin an mas. An 2021, yo te kidnape 17 misyonè etranje. Wilson toujou sou lis moun FBI ap chèche, e ansyen bras dwat li deja kondane Ozetazini pou patisipasyon li nan ka sa a.
Vitel’Homme Innocent – Kraze Barye
Li gen baz li nan Carrefour-Feuilles ak Croix-des-Bouquets, kote li kontwole plizyè santèn mesye ame. Li akize pou kidnapin sitwayen ameriken ak lòt zak mechanste. Otorite ameriken mete l sou lis pi chache, ak yon rekonpans 2 milyon dola pou arestasyon li.
Gabriel Jean-Pierre, alyas “Ti Gabriel” – G-Pèp
Lidè gang sa, ki te kont G9, vin mete tèt ansanm ak yo pou fòme Viv Ansanm. Li kontwole Cité Soleil e li fè anpil atak sou zòn rivay yo ak sou konvwa imanitè yo, sa ki lakoz mank manje ak gaz nan kapital la.
Renel Destina, alyas “Ti Lapli” – Grand Ravine
Ti Lapli se chèf gang ki domine Martissant, yon aks esansyèl nan sid Pòtoprens. Li akize pou masak, kadejak, vòl kamyon, ak kidnapin. Li bloke aks sid la, sa ki izole tout rejyon Sid peyi a.
Claudy Célestin, alyas “Chen Mechan” – Gang Chen Mechan
Gang sa kontwole Tabarre ak zòn endistriyèl yo. Malgre kèk desant lapolis, li toujou aktif epi gen zam lou. Li te ansyen alye G9.
Luckson Elan, rele “Jeneral Luckson” – Gran Grif
Gang sa domine Vale de l’Artibonite, kote li extòke agrikiltè yo epi atake konvwa manje. Aksyon li lakoz plis pase 70 moun pèdi lavi nan Pont-Sondé. Yo mete sanksyon sou li pou masak sa yo.
Johnson Andre, alyas “Izo” – 5 Segond
Baz li nan Village de Dieu, kote li kontwole antre sid kapital la. Gang li a patisipe nan trafik zam, kidnapin, epi sevi ak zak vyolans ekstrèm pou fè lajan. Kounye a li gen yon ka kont li Ozetazini pou kidnapin ak ranson, epi li ka fè prizon avi lavi.
Gade Alavans
Plent kriminèl kont Izo a se yon pa enpòtan nan batay kont gang ann Ayiti, men li demontre ke kriz la pi fon. Leta ayisyen prèske disparèt, e gang yo plen vid sa a ak zam, lajan, epi alyans politik. Malgre efò entènasyonal yo, anpil moun kwè li twò ta kont rezo sa yo ki fin anrasinen.
Pandan peyi a ap chèche estabilite ak asistans sekirite, pèp ayisyen ap viv anba laterè, grangou, epi laperèz—toujou sou dominasyon gang ki sanble pa gen okenn entansyon lage pouvwa yo.
