The case of the vast arms trafficking network operating between Florida, the Dominican Republic, and the Haitian border (Belladère) has reached a major legal milestone. Three people have been formally indicted in the United States for their central role in supplying weapons and ammunition to Haitian gangs.

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, U.S. authorities indicted three Florida residents: Francesca Charles (28), a U.S. citizen, and Haitian brothers Jacques Pierre (32) and Jeff Pierre (34), also residents of the state.

They are accused of conspiracy to smuggle firearms and ammunition, illegal transportation of weapons, and undeclared exports. The defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison.

The investigation, conducted by two federal agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), follows a spectacular seizure in the Dominican Republic (February and March 2025) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44408-haiti-flash-major-seizure-of-weapons-and-ammunition-in-the-dr-a-major-blow-for-gangs.html : 30 rifles of various calibers, six 9mm Glock Gen 5 pistols and one 9mm Smith & Wesson SD9 VE pistol, as well as 37 assault rifle magazines, 36,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 18 assault rifle magazines, 13 9mm magazines, and one .50 caliber rifle magazine. a silencer, a Barrett 50mm sniper rifle, 17 7.62 caliber rifles and an Uzi submachine gun.

The investigation revealed that the suspects had acquired at least 46 firearms between May 2024 and February 2025. Their modus operandi was well-established: a large-scale purchase of weapons, shipment, and then travel to Haiti or the Dominican Republic to receive the cargo.

This case is part of the U.S. operation "Take Back America," aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations.

In Haiti, the Haitian National Police (PNH) had already arrested the suspects in Cap-Haïtien in March 2025, shortly after the surrender of Guitho Sénat, the alleged recipient of the shipment, in Belladère.

Despite the Ministry of Economy's ban (in March 2025) on the transit of foreign goods across the land border, the effectiveness of customs controls remains a major challenge in the face of the gangs' growing firepower.

Image thumbnail from right to left : Francesca Charles, Jacques Pierre, and Jeff Pierre

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44408-haiti-flash-major-seizure-of-weapons-and-ammunition-in-the-dr-a-major-blow-for-gangs.html

SL/ HaitiLibre