On his final day as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Haitian-American Markenzy Lapointe highlighted the significant achievements of his office during his two-year tenure, underscoring its dedication to combating national security threats, violent crime, corruption, and other pressing issues.
Reflecting on his time in the role, Lapointe stated, “My experiences have been extraordinary, shaped by the dedication of our attorneys, support professionals, and law enforcement partners. I am proud of the many accomplishments we achieved together.”
National security
The office tackled critical threats to national security, securing convictions against six individuals involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, with five receiving life sentences. Additionally, they charged a defendant for attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate and now President-elect Donald J. Trump during the 2024 election.
Efforts against hate crimes included prosecuting a woman who issued anti-Semitic threats to a Tree of Life Synagogue official and a man who assaulted a Muslim postal worker wearing a hijab. Outreach initiatives included town halls and public service announcements to educate communities on identifying and reporting hate crimes.
Combating violent crime
Lapointe’s office prosecuted high-profile violent crime cases, including kidnappers responsible for deaths and torture, and a Miami real estate mogul’s terror campaign targeting his wife. In 2024 alone, they indicted 13 defendants on federal gun charges and seized over 140 firearms.
Narcotics cases targeted major players like the Sinaloa Cartel, with seven members sentenced for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The office also charged Chinese chemical manufacturers supplying fentanyl precursors and secured significant forfeitures against drug traffickers, including a $475 million settlement against a pharmaceutical company for falsely marketing an opioid product.
Financial fraud and cybercrime
The office prosecuted diverse fraud cases, from healthcare to cryptocurrency schemes. Highlights include disrupting the global Blackcat ransomware group and addressing a fake nursing diploma scheme impacting healthcare facilities nationwide. Efforts to recover pandemic relief funds resulted in millions of dollars in civil judgments and forfeitures, including actions against law enforcement personnel involved in fraud.
Corruption cases included the conviction of a Miami police officer stealing drugs and cash and the sentencing of Ecuador’s former comptroller general for laundering $10 million in bribes through Miami real estate.
Human trafficking
Aggressive action against human trafficking led to lengthy sentences for offenders, including a cruise ship worker who secretly recorded children and traffickers exploiting women and minors through violence and intimidation. Public outreach campaigns warned parents and children of online exploitation risks.
Read: Markenzy Lapointe, first Haitian-American US attorney in Florida, resigns
Markenzy Lapointe was the first Haitian-American to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and moved to Miami with his mother and siblings at the age of 16.
Lapointe concluded his tenure by expressing confidence in the team he leaves behind, particularly Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis, who assumed leadership on January 18. “This office is in strong and capable hands,” Lapointe affirmed, highlighting the recruitment of 45 lawyers despite budgetary challenges.
