U.S. charges key suspects in conspiracy to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moise

Four key suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise a day after they were transferred to the United States for prosecution, according to the U.S. Justice Department. 

The four suspects, James Solages, 37, Joseph Vincent, 57, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, 54, and German Rivera, 44, Garcia appeared in court wearing their prisoner uniforms, shackled at their hands and ankles. 

Solages, Vincent, and Rivera were among the first arrested after the Haitian president was assassinated at his private home near the capital of Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021. 

The suspects were accused of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the U.S. and providing material support and resources resulting in death, according to The Associated Press. 

“On July 6, 2021, Solages, Vincent, Rivera, and others met at a house near President Moise’s residence, where firearms and equipment were distributed and Solages announced that the mission was to kill President Moise,” the U.S. Justice Department claimed.  

Sanon is being charged with conspiring to smuggle goods from the U.S. and failing to properly file export information. According to court documents, he allegedly shipped 20 ballistic vests to Haiti, while labeling them as “medical X-ray vests and school supplies.” 

If convicted, Solages, Vincent, and Rivera will face up to life in prison. Sanon, on the other hand, could face up to 20 years in prison. 

A total of seven suspects related to the assassination are now in U.S. custody and are facing charges in South Florida for their participation in the killing of the president.