The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, known as “Barbecue.”
The reward is issued under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) and applies to information leading to his capture in any country. Cherizier heads the violent gang coalition Viv Ansanm, which the U.S. designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on May 2, 2025.
Accused of Mass Atrocities in Haiti
Cherizier has been identified as a central figure in Haiti’s spiraling gang violence, accused of mass killings, sexual violence, and widespread terror against civilians. In December 2020, the U.S. sanctioned him and two Haitian officials under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for their roles in the La Saline massacre and other severe human rights abuses.
Criminal Charges in the United States
The announcement follows the U.S. Department of Justice unsealing an indictment in the District of Columbia, charging Cherizier with conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The charges relate to his alleged evasion of sanctions imposed in 2020.
His co-defendant, Brazile Richardson, appeared in federal court in Washington, D.C., earlier today.
Part of Global Anti-Crime Efforts
The TOCRP supports global law enforcement in dismantling transnational criminal networks and bringing fugitives to justice. U.S. authorities are urging anyone with credible information on Cherizier’s whereabouts to come forward.
Contact Information:
FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov
HSI: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form
Outside the U.S.: Visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Inside the U.S.: Contact your local FBI office
All identities will be kept strictly confidential. Government officials and employees are not eligible for the reward.
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