Two North Texas Men Indicted for Conspiring to Invade Haiti
Update: 2:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025: This story updated with additional comment.
The Indictment
Two North Texas men were indicted this week after federal authorities said they conspired to “invade” Haiti. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Texas, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle are accused of plotting to murder men on one of Haiti’s islands and use the women and children on the island as “sex slaves.” The two men were also indicted on a charge of production of child pornography.
Response from Attorneys
Thomas’ attorney, John Helms, told The Dallas Morning News on Friday that Thomas would plead not guilty on Monday. Weisenburg’s attorney, Clint Broden, declined to comment.
The Plot
According to the indictment, the two men worked on the plot between August 2024 and July 2025, recruiting several people to sail to the island of Gonave, which is a part of Haiti. The two men planned to purchase a sailboat, firearms and ammunition, and recruit homeless people from Washington, D.C., as a “mercenary force” to invade the island and stage a coup d’etat.
Preparations for the Invasion
Authorities said the two men made operating plans, learned the Haitian Creole language and enrolled in schools to learn skills for the invasion. The news release and indictment also said Thomas enlisted in the Air Force to learn military skills for the planned invasion.
Potential Consequences
If convicted, the men face up to life in prison.
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Conclusion
The indictment of the two North Texas men is a serious development in the case, and the potential consequences they face are severe. The plot to invade Haiti and commit violent crimes is a disturbing reminder of the dangers of extremism and the importance of law enforcement in preventing such acts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the two men accused of?
The two men, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg and Tanner Christopher Thomas, were accused of conspiring to invade Haiti, murder men on one of its islands, and use women and children as “sex slaves.” They were also indicted on a charge of production of child pornography.
Q: How did the men plan to carry out the invasion?
According to the indictment, the men planned to purchase a sailboat, firearms, and ammunition, and recruit homeless people from Washington, D.C., as a “mercenary force” to invade the island of Gonave and stage a coup d’etat.
Q: What is the potential punishment for the men if convicted?
If convicted, the men face up to life in prison.
Q: How did the authorities learn about the plot?
The news release and indictment did not specify how the authorities learned about the plot, but it is likely that the investigation involved a combination of intelligence gathering and law enforcement efforts.
