Vitel'Homme Innocent

Vitel'Homme Innocent (French pronunciation: [vitɛlɔm inɔsɑ̃]; born March 27, 1986)^[1] is a Haitian gang leader who was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on November 15, 2023, for his role in the 2021 Haitian missionary kidnappings.^[2][3][4] A reward of up to 2 million US dollars was offered for information leading to his capture.^[5] On July 1, 2025, Innocent was removed from the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list after it was determined that he no longer fit the list criteria.^[6][7]

Vitel'Homme Innocent
Undated photograph of Innocent
FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
Charges	Conspiracy to commit hostage taking Hostage taking Conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death Attempted hostage taking resulting in death
Reward	US$2,000,000
Description
Born	(1986-03-27) March 27, 1986 (age 39) Haiti
Nationality	Haitian
Race	Black
Gender	Male
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm) – 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	150 lb (68 kg)
Status
Added	November 15, 2023
Removed	July 1, 2025
Number	532
Removed from Top Ten Fugitive List

Biography

Innocent was born on March 27, 1986, in Haiti.^[8] Originally a political activist, he still maintains ties to grassroots political movements in Haiti.^[9] In a 2024 interview with CNN, he described himself as a former small business owner and stated that his "dream is to get rid of the oligarchs who prevent [Haiti] from progressing".^[10]

Innocent is the leader of the Kraze Baryé gang, which as of May 2024, participated in the Viv Ansanm alliance of Haitian gangs. The alliance also includes the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies and 400 Mawozo.^[11] Since at least July 2021, Innocent has had an agreement with Joly "Yonyon" Germine, senior leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, to work cooperatively in the Croix-des-Bouquets area.^[12]

On October 24, 2023, Innocent was charged with ordering the October 2022 kidnapping of an American couple which left the woman, Marie Odette Franklin, dead.^[13] In January 2023, he killed four police officers in Pétion-Ville.^[14] He is accused of the 2021 Haitian missionary kidnappings.^[15]

On November 15, 2023, Innocent was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, replacing Jose Rodolfo Villarreal-Hernandez, a cartel lord wanted for orchestrating the murder of a Texas lawyer. Innocent was the 532nd fugitive to be placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. In a 2024 interview, he expressed willingness to defend himself in a US court.^[16]

On December 8, both the United States and the United Nations Security Council placed Innocent on their respective economic sanctions lists.^[17] On January 20, 2024, the European Union also placed sanctions on Innocent.^[18]

On July 1, 2025, Innocent was removed from the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list after it was determined that he no longer fit the list criteria.^[6][7] He was replaced by Cindy Rodriguez Singh.^[19]