Two US men, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg and Tanner Christopher Thomas, have been indicted for allegedly plotting to take control of a Caribbean island, kill its male population, and enslave the women and children. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, the pair conspired to recruit and lead an unlawful expeditionary force to Ile de la Gonave, a tropical island with around 100,000 residents that is part of the Republic of Haiti.
The plan, discussed between August 2024 and July 2025, aimed to stage a coup d’etat for the purpose of carrying out their rape fantasies. Prosecutors claim that Weisenburg and Thomas intended to murder all of the men on the island so that they could then turn all of the women and children into their sex slaves. The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country and production of child pornography.
Investigations reveal that the pair had planned to buy a sailboat and firearms and also sought to recruit homeless people in the Washington, DC area to form an armed group. They reportedly undertook numerous overt acts, including studying the local language, preparing operational plans, and exploring training programs to acquire skills relevant to the invasion plan. Thomas even enlisted in the US Air Force to receive military training.
The lawyer representing Weisenburg has urged the public to reserve judgment, describing the indictment as “simply an allegation” and stating that the claims may seem “crazy, impossible, and absurd.” However, if convicted, the conspiracy charge to murder in a foreign country carries a potential life sentence, while the child pornography offense is punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison.
The indictment highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences of such crimes. The case is a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in preventing and prosecuting violent crimes, particularly those that involve human trafficking and exploitation. As the case proceeds, it is essential to ensure that justice is served and that the victims and their families receive the support and protection they need. The US authorities will likely continue to investigate and monitor similar cases to prevent such heinous crimes from being planned and executed.