April 30, 2025
The U.S. Department of State announced on March 18 the indictment of Johnson André, alias “Izo,” leader of the Haitian gang “5 Segond,” for his alleged role in the kidnapping and detention of an American citizen in March 2023. According to the criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia, André allegedly ordered the victim’s abduction, who was held for nine days, beaten, and tortured in Village de Dieu.
The State Department specifies that the “5 Segond” gang, led by André, is involved in ransom kidnappings, robberies, and arms trafficking. The proceeds from these criminal activities are used to pay gang members and purchase weapons from the United States and other countries. André is said to have personally supervised the ransom negotiations with the victim’s family, who was ultimately released after a payment and the surrender of valuable items.
Johnson André, also known as “Izo,” remains at large and resides in Village de Dieu. He was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in December 2023 for severe human rights violations. These sanctions fall under Executive Order 13818, which targets those responsible for crimes and abuses in Haiti. If convicted, André faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The investigation, conducted by the FBI’s Miami office with support from the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, has mobilized significant resources to track the gang’s activities. The State Department emphasizes that this case illustrates the U.S. government’s commitment to fighting impunity and protecting its citizens, even abroad.
The charges against André remain allegations at this stage, and his guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
