The U.S. charged a 400 Mawozo gang member on Thursday in connection to the kidnapping of the missionaries in Haiti last year.

The announcement of the charge against Jean Pelice, also known as Zo, from Haiti was made by District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Mathew Graves and FBI Miami Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge John Bernardo, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Al Jazeera reported that the department accused Pelice of taking part in the armed kidnapping of the 17 Christian missionaries last October 17.

The complaint noted that Pelice, along with other 400 Mawozo Gang members, guarded the missionaries with firearms while they were being captive.

Pelice was reportedly transferred into U.S. custody on May 16. The man from Haiti has his first appearance in court on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

 The U.S. Justice Department said that the charges in the complaint against Pelice are "mere allegations," and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The department added that Pelice's sentence would be determined by the court if he is convicted of any offenses, based on the Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.

"The case is being investigated by the FBI's Miami Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen P. Seifert," the department added.

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Missionaries Kidnapping in Haiti

In October last year, at least 17 Christian missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo Gang near Port-au-Prince in Haiti. The victims were composed of 16 Americans and one Canadian. The group also included at least five children, one of whom was around eight months old. Reports also claimed that the Haitian driver of the missionaries from the Christian Aid Ministries was also abducted by the said gang.

One of the 400 Mawozo Gang's stated motives for holding the missionaries captive is the release of their leader Germaine Joly, the first defendant charged with the abductions. However, he has pleaded not guilty.

One leader of the 400 Mawozo Gang previously demanded a $1 million ransom per person, and they threatened to kill the hostages unless his demands were met.

Two of the hostages were released on or about November 18, then three more hostages were released on or before December 5. The remaining missionaries escaped their captivity on or about December 16.

Haiti's 400 Mawozo Gang

The 400 Mawozo gang is one of the largest criminal gangs in Haiti, and they are known for kidnapping civilians. The gang does not pick their target when it comes to kidnapping. Victims of the said group have a variety of backgrounds, including priests, Haitians, foreigners, and even police officers.

The 400 Mawozo gang is also behind the kidnapping of Dominican Republic Diplomat Carlos Guillen. The said diplomat was reportedly abducted while he was traveling in his country.

The said gang from Haiti controls a highly strategic area in the country, including the only road to the north and the only road that leads Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic.

In April, the gang's leader, Joly, was extradited into the U.S. for smuggling weapons and kidnapping Americans.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

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