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Two Texas Men Indicted Over Alleged Plot to Invade Gonâve Island, Kill Men and Enslave Women and Children

04:19 AM, 11/22/2025
Two Texas Men Indicted Over Alleged Plot to Invade Gonâve Island, Kill Men and Enslave Women and Children

Federal prosecutors have indicted 21-year-old Gavin Weisenburg and 20-year-old Tanner Thomas on charges alleging they plotted to invade Haiti's Gonâve Island, kill male residents and enslave women and children. The indictment alleges they planned to acquire a sailboat, weapons and recruits, studied Haitian Creole and even sought military training. Both men also face federal charges for producing child pornography. If convicted, they could face up to life in prison on the conspiracy charge, with additional 15–30 year terms on the child pornography counts.

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Texas have announced an indictment charging two Texas men with an alleged plot to invade Haiti's Gonâve Island, kill its male residents and enslave women and children.

Allegations and charges

The defendants are identified as Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, Texas, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle, Texas. According to the indictment, they face counts including conspiracy to murder, maim or kidnap in a foreign country and production of child pornography.

"Weisenburg and Thomas intended to murder all of the men on the island so that they could then turn all of the women and children into their sex slaves," prosecutors allege.

Court filings say that between August 2024 and July 2025 the men planned to seize control of Gonâve Island "to carry out their rape fantasies." Prosecutors allege the pair intended to acquire a sailboat, firearms and ammunition, and to recruit people from Washington, D.C.'s homeless community to serve as a mercenary force to invade the island and stage a coup d'état.

Investigators contend the defendants took concrete preparation steps, including studying Haitian Creole, attempting to recruit collaborators, and enrolling in courses to gain skills they believed would help their plan. The indictment also alleges that Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to obtain military training he thought would be useful to the scheme.

Separately from the alleged invasion plan, both men are charged with producing child pornography, according to the indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

Potential penalties and context

If convicted, each defendant could face life in prison on the conspiracy charge; the child pornography counts carry sentences of 15 to 30 years in federal custody. Gonâve Island, in the Gulf of Gonâve off Haiti's west coast, is home to an estimated 100,000 people.

The indictment sets out allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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