DOJO – Federal prosecutors say two North Texas men have been indicted in a disturbing plot to invade Haiti’s Gonâve Island, kill the men living there, and enslave women and children. The allegations outline a chilling year-long plan that investigators say the pair crafted through weapons research, recruiting attempts, and efforts to obtain specialized training.
What prosecutors say happened
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 21-year-old Gavin Rivers Weisenburg and 20-year-old Tanner Christopher Thomas allegedly conspired from August 2024 through July 2025 to carry out an armed coup on Gonâve Island, home to nearly 87,000 residents. Court documents say the men intended to kill all adult males on the island and use women and children as sex slaves.
Investigators say the plan included buying a sailboat for the attack, learning Haitian Creole, and attempting to recruit people — including homeless individuals from Washington, D.C. — to join the mission. Prosecutors also allege that the men researched weapons and ammunition while discussing detailed strategies for seizing power.
The alleged preparation for the attack
Prosecutors say Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January 2025 specifically to gain military training for the planned assault. He later changed his assignment to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, which investigators say was part of a plan to recruit homeless individuals and stay closer to the United States.
Weisenburg, meanwhile, allegedly enrolled in a fire academy to gain tactical skills but failed out before traveling to Thailand to try and take sailing lessons. The indictment says he never enrolled in the courses because of the cost.
Both men also allegedly took Haitian Creole classes to prepare for communication during the takeover.
Additional charges and possible sentences
Alongside the conspiracy charge, Weisenburg and Thomas are also accused of producing child pornography, an offense prosecutors say involves coercing a minor in August 2024. If convicted of that charge, they face 15 to 30 years in federal prison. The conspiracy charge — involving plans to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country — carries a potential life sentence.
Their attorneys say both men will plead not guilty and argue that the alleged plot was never realistic or actionable.
What’s next in the case
The investigation was handled by the FBI, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and local Texas authorities. Prosecutors say the case remains active as both men await trial in federal court.
The island of Gonâve, which has limited infrastructure and is difficult to reach, has long faced challenges with crime and public services. Authorities say the men believed those vulnerabilities made the island a target for their planned attack.
