A man described by federal prosecutors as a Haitian gang leader was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for his role in orchestrating the 2021 hostage-taking of 16 American citizens, including five children.
Joly Germine, 34, of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was also ordered by the court to pay a fine of $1,700.
The hostages. Most of them were held at gunpoint for 62 days until they escaped.
The Haitian government transferred Germine from a Haitian jail into U.S. custody in May 2022 after an arrest warrant was issued.
"This case shows that the Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to track down anyone who kidnaps a U.S. citizen abroad," said then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the time. "We will utilize the full reach of our law enforcement authorities to hold accountable anyone responsible for undermining the safety of Americans anywhere in the world."
Germine was sentenced last year to 35 years in federal prison for his role in a gun trafficking conspiracy that involved smuggling firearms to Haiti and for laundering ransom money collected by the gang.
Ray Noecker, whose wife Cheryl and five children were held hostage, said during sentencing that the ordeal was a "life-changing experience" for his family. He told Germine he hopes he finds "God’s peace."
"True freedom is not found outside of prison walls. True freedom is found inside your own heart," Noecker said.