State Department targets 5 Segond boss amid allegations of kidnappings, sexual violence, and the 2023 abduction of a U.S. citizen
Washington, D.C. – February 18, 2026 The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest, conviction, or location of Johnson “Izo” Andre, the leader of the powerful Haitian gang 5 Segond.
The announcement, made through the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, comes amid escalating gang violence in Haiti that has paralyzed Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, displacing thousands and severely restricting humanitarian access.
Andre, believed to operate primarily from the Village de Dieu neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital, is wanted by the Haitian National Police for a wide range of serious crimes, including assassination, kidnapping for ransom, illegal possession of firearms, hijacking of freight trucks, and criminal conspiracy.
Survivors and human rights reports have directly implicated Andre and his gang in over 1,035 documented cases of sexual violence in 2022 alone. The 5 Segond gang is also accused of murder, rape, extortion, theft, drug and weapons trafficking, and obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries. By controlling key territories, the group imposes illegal “taxes” on civilians and vehicles, using the proceeds to fund further criminal activities and arm its members.
Specific U.S. Charge: 2023 Hostage-Taking of American Citizen
The reward specifically highlights Andre’s alleged role in the March 18, 2023, hostage-taking of a U.S. citizen in Port-au-Prince. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI, armed gang members under Andre’s orders seized the victim at gunpoint, transported him to Village de Dieu, and held him until March 27, 2023, when he was released after a ransom payment — along with the victim’s vehicle and firearms belonging to his father.
The State Department emphasized that Andre’s actions threaten U.S. citizens, regional stability, and the broader fight against transnational crime.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Rewards for Justice program via tips.rewardsforjustice.net or +1-202-702-7843. All tips remain confidential, and rewards can be paid in cash or cryptocurrency.
L’Union Suite will continue tracking developments in the hunt for Andre and the broader effort to dismantle gangs terrorizing Haiti.
Justice for victims. Safety for Haiti.
