Haitian Gang Leader Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier Responds to US Indictment and Sanctions

Gang Leader's Response to Indictment

• ⛓️ Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbecue," states he is willing to collaborate with the FBI if they approach him, provided no lies are told.
• 🤝 He specifically calls for an end to accusations against Basil Richardson (aka Fredo), asserting Richardson's innocence and denial of financing any activities.

US Indictment and Sanctions Background

• ⚖️ Cherizier's indictment is noted as the first for an individual sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
• 👮‍♂️ Previously a police officer in Haiti, Cherizier is accused of leading violent campaigns, including the 2018 Loelene attack where approximately 71 Haitians were killed.
• 🇺🇸 His codefendant, Basil Richardson, a US citizen living in North Carolina, is indicted for sending money from the US-based Haitian diaspora to Cherizier, knowing he was sanctioned under the 2020 Magnitsky Act.

Reward and Public Warning

• 💰 The State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Cherizier's arrest or conviction.
• ⚠️ Individuals knowingly providing funds to Cherizier for his violent acts will be prosecuted, as they are supporting human rights abuses.

Broader Context of Violence in Haiti

• 🚨 The US Attorney's office highlights its past conviction of Jolie German for kidnapping 16 American missionaries, underscoring ongoing issues in Haiti.
• 🌍 Haiti is described as a current "hot spot" with significant violence, prompting the State Department's involvement and the strict enforcement of sanctions.