Haitian gang leader charged with ordering kidnapping of US couple that left woman dead

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful Haitian gang leader has been charged by U.S. prosecutors with ordering the kidnapping of an American couple that left a woman dead. The U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Columbia announced a new indictment Tuesday against Vitel’homme Innocent, the leader of the Kraze Barye gang, in connection with the October 2022 kidnapping in Haiti of Jean Franklin and Marie Odette Franklin. Marie Franklin was shot and killed in the kidnapping, Jean was held for 21 days. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his arrest. He was previously charged in connection to the 2021 kidnappings of Christian missionaries.