Federal prosecutors in the District of Columbia have charged the leader of 400 Mawozo gang in connection with the kidnapping of 16 Americans last year, the Justice Department said Tuesday.
Joly Germaine, 29, who is also known as “Yonyon,” is accused of leading the 400 Mawozo gang and is the first person charged by Justice Department prosecutors with having any involvement in the kidnapping of the Christian missionaries.
He was extradited to the U.S. last week and faces separate charges in a firearms trafficking case, prosecutors said.
“This case shows that the Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to track down anyone who kidnaps a U.S. citizen abroad,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
“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.”