A criminal complaint, filed in the District of Columbia and made public today, accuses Johnson André, alias "Izo," leader of the 5 Segonn gang, for his alleged role in the armed kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Haiti in March 2023. The victim was held for ransom by Izo’s gang, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, obtained by Le Nouvelliste.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and FBI Special Agent Brett Skiles from the Miami field office. According to the sworn affidavit supporting the complaint, André and the 5 Segonn gang operate in Village de Dieu. The gang is actively involved in kidnappings for ransom and robberies, using the proceeds from these criminal activities to pay gang members' salaries and purchase weapons and ammunition from the United States and elsewhere, the statement said.