Former Haitian senator, John Joel Joseph, on Tuesday changed his plea to guilty at a Miami federal court in connection to the 2021 murder of Haiti’s former President, Jovenel Moïse.
The surprising change came as a result of an agreement made with the U.S. government.
Sentencing and possible cooperation
Slated for sentencing on Dec. 19 by Federal judge Jose Martinez, Joseph might face a life sentence.
However, based on the plea agreement’s 11th page, the U.S. government may recommend a reduced sentence if Joseph collaborates in the ongoing investigation.
Extradition and charges
The US authorities extradited Joseph from Jamaica in June.
He faces charges of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside U.S. boundaries and supplying material support that led to a death. This material support was allegedly meant to aid or enact the conspiracy to murder or kidnap.
Political dynamics and affiliations
A prominent figure in Haitian politics, Joseph is renowned as an opponent of Moïse’s Tet Kale party.
He is but one in a line-up of 11 individuals in South Florida charged in connection to the assassination.
Additionally, two other defendants have already entered guilty pleas.
Haitian-Chilean businessman, Rodolphe Jaar, received a life sentence in June, while the former Colombian soldier, German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, awaits his sentencing on Oct. 27. Meanwhile, eight other defendants await their trials in the U.S.
Assassination details
The charges indicate that Joseph, in collaboration with roughly 20 Colombian citizens and several Haitian-American dual citizens, plotted to either kidnap or assassinate Haiti’s then-president.
The tragic event unfolded on July 7, 2021, when attackers invaded President Moïse’s private residence in Port-au-Prince, leading to his death at the age of 53.
Arrests and extradition Journey
After his January arrest in Jamaica, Joseph agreed to extradition to the U.S. in March.
Parallel to the U.S. proceedings, the Haitian government has detained over 40 individuals on suspicions of involvement in the former president’s murder.
Read more on assassination of President Jovenel Moïse
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- US authorities make more arrests in the murder of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse
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