Joly Germine, 34, from Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of supervised release for orchestrating the 2021 hostage taking of 16 American citizens. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court and was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. The victims were part of Christian Aid Ministries and were returning from work at an orphanage when they were abducted.
Germine, also known as “Yonyon,” was convicted by a federal jury on May 16 after a 10-day trial in the District of Columbia. He faced one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking and 16 counts of hostage taking of a U.S. national for ransom. Judge John D. Bates imposed a $1,700 fine along with the life sentence.
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles from the Miami Field Office joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in making the announcement.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated: “The missionary group included 12 adults and five young children, including a 6-year-old, 3-year-old, and an 8-month-old. Sixteen of the victims were U.S. citizens from Christian Aid Ministries,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “This sentencing makes clear that Germine’s scheme to win freedom for himself by using Christians as pawns backfired.”
Germine had previously admitted guilt for his involvement in gun trafficking that smuggled firearms to Haiti against U.S. export laws and laundering ransom money received for other hostages taken by his gang, known as 400 Mawozo. For these offenses, he received a separate sentence of 35 years in federal prison in June 2024.
Court documents reveal that Germine led the gang’s operations from prison using unmonitored cell phones while coordinating with other leaders who were often relatives. He managed finances, supplied weapons, and directed activities within Croix-des-Bouquets near Port-au-Prince.
On October 16, 2021, armed members of the gang stopped a group of missionaries returning from visiting an orphanage and transported them to a rural building where they demanded $1 million per person for their release while consulting Germine over the phone.
The gang threatened on social media to kill all hostages if demands were not met and later suggested releasing Germine from jail instead of receiving ransom payments.
Two hostages were released on November 20 due to health concerns; three more—including two adults with medical issues and a six-year-old—were released after payment of $350,000 on December 5 but no further releases occurred despite earlier promises by the gang's leadership under Germine’s direction.
The remaining hostages escaped on December 16 after walking through difficult terrain for five hours before being rescued by FBI personnel deployed to Haiti who arranged their immediate departure out of concern for their safety.
Evidence presented during trial showed that Germine directed every stage: planning abduction locations, setting ransom amounts totaling $17 million (with hopes it would prompt negotiations for his own release), and participating in decisions regarding victim releases.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Miami Field Office with support from agencies such as ATF; additional help came from various government bodies including Customs and Border Protection Service; DEA; Department of Defense; U.S Marshals Service; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; governments of Haiti and Dominican Republic; Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; Department of State including its embassy staff; and specialized prosecutors based in Florida.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Karen P Seifert and Thomas N Saunders prosecuted this case with assistance provided by Paralegal Specialist Jorge Casillas alongside other legal professionals supporting victims throughout proceedings.
