The FBI has officially renewed its search for haitian gang leader Joseph Wilson, also known as “Lanmò San Jou,” one of the leaders of the 400 Mawozo gang.
In a statement issued Friday, July 18, 2025, the United States Embassy in Haiti announced that Joseph Wilson is now actively wanted by U.S. federal authorities.
He is also identified as a member of the organization Viv Ansanm, which was recently designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States.
The FBI accuses Wilson of involvement in multiple serious crimes, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and acts of terrorism.
As part of this investigation, the federal agency is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his whereabouts and arrest.
Despite being a wanted man, Joseph Wilson, a.k.a. Lanmò San Jou, is not in hiding. He moves about freely, in full view of the public, in the streets of Croix-des-Bouquets.
The manhunt has intensified following the viral spread of a TikTok video showing Wilson distributing money to residents in Thomazeau, a community located near Croix-des-Bouquets, historically a stronghold of the 400 Mawozo gang.
For U.S. authorities, this act is not one of charity but a calculated tactic to manipulate and tighten his control over the local population through intimidation and dependency.
“Don’t be fooled. This individual is not a benefactor but a dangerous fugitive,” declared the U.S. Embassy in Haiti in its official statement.
Amid a persistently unstable security situation, authorities are urging the Haitian public to remain vigilant.
Anyone with information regarding Joseph Wilson is urged to contact the FBI immediately at +1 305 495 0956 (call, SMS, or WhatsApp), or to report to local law enforcement. The embassy also emphasized that the confidentiality of informants can be guaranteed.
The Haitian criminal is accused of participating in the October 2021 kidnapping of 17 American missionaries. “The hostages were reportedly held at gunpoint, and most remained in captivity for 61 days. The gang allegedly demanded ransom payments for each of the hostages,” the FBI wrote on its official website. A $1 million reward had already been issued for Wilson, who nonetheless continues to walk freely in Croix-des-Bouquets.
“Lanmò San Jou has been indicted in the United States for Conspiracy to Commit Hostage Taking and Hostage Taking, according to an indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia,” the FBI added, noting that “Lanmò San Jou suffers from kidney problems and is believed to have ties to, or may travel to, the Dominican Republic.”
This initiative is part of a broader regional effort to dismantle transnational criminal networks operating in Haiti and the Caribbean. The growing presence and influence of armed gangs, along with their connections to extremist groups, remain a major concern for the international community.
