Executive Summary
- Two Texas men were indicted for conspiring to invade Gonâve Island, Haiti.
- The alleged plot involved recruiting homeless men from Washington, D.C., as mercenaries.
- Prosecutors claim the defendants planned to murder men and enslave women and children.
- Charges include conspiracy to murder abroad and production of child pornography.
- Both defendants face up to life in federal prison if convicted.
Two Texas men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to recruit homeless individuals from Washington, D.C., to orchestrate an armed invasion of a Haitian island, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas. Prosecutors state that the conspiracy included plans to murder male residents and enslave women and children.
Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle, are charged with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, as well as the production of child pornography. The indictment alleges that between August 2024 and July 2025, the defendants conspired to form an armed mercenary group to launch an attack on Gonâve Island, a territory of the Republic of Haiti.
According to court documents, Weisenburg and Thomas planned to finance the operation by purchasing a sailboat, firearms, and ammunition. The scheme reportedly involved recruiting homeless men from Washington, D.C., to serve as soldiers for the assault. Prosecutors allege the ultimate goal of the operation was to kill the island’s male population and subjugate the women and children to fulfill violent fantasies.
The indictment outlines several concrete steps the defendants allegedly took in preparation for the attack. These actions included learning Haitian Creole and enrolling in educational programs to acquire relevant skills. Furthermore, investigators state that Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Air Force specifically to obtain military training to further the conspiracy.
Federal Prosecution and Legal Standards
The charges brought against Weisenburg and Thomas carry severe statutory penalties, reflecting the gravity of the alleged international conspiracy and child exploitation crimes. If convicted on the conspiracy charge, both defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. The child pornography charge alone carries a mandatory penalty ranging from 15 to 30 years. As the case proceeds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office must demonstrate the defendants’ intent and overt acts beyond a reasonable doubt. Both men currently remain in federal custody without a set trial date. It is important to note that an indictment is a formal accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.