Former Senator John Joel Joseph sentenced to life in US prison

Former Senator John Joel Joseph was on Tuesday sentenced in a Miami court to life in prison over his role in the July 2021 assassination Jovenel Moise.

The nighttime killing of President Jovenel Moise in his residence created a destabilizing power vacuum which violent armed gangs exploited to expand their control over the island nation, driving a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

According to his proffer statement, Joseph was present at meetings where plans for the assassination were discussed, including on the night before the murder happened.

He admitted in the statement to providing support for the plot, including rental vehicles, introductions to gangs whose backing was sought and attempted to procure weapons.