Miami jury convicts 4 men in assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise

A federal jury in Miami convicted four men Monday for their roles in the July 7, 2021, assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, according to the Justice Department.

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages were each convicted of conspiracy to provide material support resulting in death, providing material support resulting in death, conspiracy to kill and kidnap a person outside the United States, conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, and expedition against a friendly nation, prosecutors said. Intriago faced additional counts related to smuggling goods from the U.S. and submitting false export information.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the four defendants launched a scheme in early 2021 to violently overthrow President Moïse and install a handpicked successor so they could obtain lucrative government contracts in Haiti. To execute the plot, they recruited allies across the U.S., Colombia, and Haiti — including 22 former Colombian Army soldiers and Haitian gang leaders, prosecutors said. Eight co-conspirators pleaded guilty and six testified at trial.

Between April and July 2021, the defendants developed and refined multiple plans to kidnap or kill Moïse, according to trial evidence. Prosecutors said the group at one point discussed kidnapping Moïse at his sister’s home, drugging him and forcing him to resign before later shifting tactics. Ultimately, the defendants ordered Colombian mercenaries to storm his residence, prosecutors said. On July 7, a team of former Colombian special forces soldiers known as the Delta Team fatally shot Moïse in his bedroom and seriously wounded First Lady Martine Moïse. Ballistic evidence introduced at trial matched bullets recovered from both victims to a rifle used by the Delta Team, prosecutors said.

Court records show each defendant played a distinct role. Veintemilla served as the conspiracy’s primary financier, providing a $175,000 loan funded in part through fraudulently obtained CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds. Pretel Ortiz, who wore fake U.S. military-style uniforms and referred to himself as “Colonel Gabriel,” directed tactical planning and coordinated with the Colombian mercenaries, prosecutors said. Intriago managed day-to-day logistics including payroll and equipment, and in June 2021 helped smuggle bulletproof vests and tactical gear from Miami to Haiti. Solages served as the group’s primary liaison in Haiti, conducted surveillance of Moïse’s residence, and accompanied the mercenaries during the attack, according to trial evidence.

All four defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra will determine sentencing after considering federal guidelines, prosecutors said. The case was investigated by FBI Miami and Homeland Security Investigations Miami.

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