Joly Germine, 32 years old, originally from Croix-des-Bouquets, was found guilty on Saturday, May 17, 2025, by a federal jury in the District of Columbia for his role in orchestrating the hostage-taking of 16 American citizens, including five children, in 2021. The hostages were held for 62 days.

The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and FBI Deputy Special Agent Ryan James from the Miami office, as stated in a press release from the U.S. government on Saturday, May 17, 2025.