MIAMI – In a stunning revelation, four Florida men have been charged for their alleged involvement in an elaborate plot to assassinate President Jovenel Moise of Haiti. The South Florida grand jury has returned a third superseding indictment, charging Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and Frederick Bergmann with conspiracy to kidnap or kill outside the United States.
According to court documents, from February 2021 to July 2021, South Florida served as a hub for planning the assassination. The alleged masterminds, Ortiz and Intriago – principals of Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy – plotted to oust President Moïse in favor of Christian Emmanuel Sanon, who held political ambitions in Haiti.
Intriago and Ortiz were promised lucrative contracts from a new Haitian government, led by Sanon, for infrastructure projects and security forces. Walter Veintemilla, through his company Worldwide Capital Lending Group, provided $175,000 in financing for the coup d’etat. Frederick Bergmann, linked to Sanon, facilitated the export of ballistic vests from the U.S. to Haiti.
The indicted men are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren F. Louis in Miami today. The charges include conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a conspiracy to kidnap or kill outside the United States, resulting in death; and conspiracy to commit export violations.
Eleven individuals now face charges in connection with the assassination plot, including James Solages, Joseph Vincent, German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, Mario Antonio Palacios, Rodolphe Jaar, and Joseph Joel John. The group is accused of plotting to overthrow the Haitian government and replace it with a regime aligned with their interests.
The investigation highlights the complex web of international and domestic actors involved in attempting to undermine democratic processes and threatens national security.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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