A federal jury in Miami found four men from South Florida guilty on Friday for their involvement in the conspiracy to kidnap or assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Moïse was tragically killed at his private residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021.
The individuals convicted are Arcángel Pretel Ortiz (age 53), Antonio "Tony" Intriago (age 63), James Solages (age 40), and Walter Veintemilla, a mortgage broker from the Broward area.
This verdict was delivered nearly five years post-assassination, following an extensive trial that spanned 39 days over nearly nine weeks, commencing on March 9, 2026. The jury reached their decision after just over two days of deliberation.
Details of the Conspiracy Unveiled
Pretel Ortiz and Intriago were the proprietors of the Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and the Counter Terrorist Unit Security (CTU) based in Doral, Florida. According to the prosecution, the group orchestrated a plot from South Florida, aiming to hire approximately twenty former Colombian soldiers to violently overthrow Moïse. Their objective was to install a new leader amenable to granting them profitable security and infrastructure contracts in Haiti.
Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean McLaughlin succinctly summarized the case to the jury: "This is a straightforward matter. It's a case of greed, arrogance, and power."
Charges and Sentencing
The jury convicted the four defendants on five counts, including conspiracy to provide material support—an offense linked to terrorism—and violation of the U.S. Neutrality Act, which prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in hostilities against nations with which the country is at peace.
Intriago faced additional charges for sending bulletproof vests to Haiti, although he was cleared of one count related to export control violations. The total budget for the coup was estimated at around $343,000, partially funded by approximately $30,000 in pandemic relief loans.
Testimonies and Evidence
Solages was present with the Colombian commandos on the night of the attack, claiming the operation was conducted by the DEA and the U.S. military, as testified by a retired Colombian Army captain. The first lady, Martine Moïse, the prosecution's primary witness, reported hearing the assailants speaking Spanish and searching the bedroom for a mysterious document. Moïse was shot 12 times; a fatal bullet to the heart was the cause of death, according to Haiti's sole forensic pathologist.
The FBI amassed 8,000 gigabytes of data from over 100 electronic devices across the U.S., Colombia, and Haiti, including a 900-page summary of text messages and voice notes delineating the plot's development.
Wider Implications and Future Trials
This verdict adds to previous convictions in Miami related to the assassination, including Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar, sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2023. Former Colombian military officer Mario Antonio Palacios also received a life sentence in Miami in March 2024, in a separate proceeding stemming from the same case.
A fifth defendant, Christian Emmanuel Sanon—a Haitian-born doctor and pastor residing in South Florida, initially considered by the conspirators as Moïse's successor—will face trial at a later date due to health issues.
Following the assassination, Haiti plunged into an unprecedented wave of gang violence, displacing nearly 1.5 million Haitians and leaving half the population without sufficient food.
The four convicted men face life sentences. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra, who described the case as "highly significant," is scheduled to hold the sentencing hearing in late summer 2026.
Key Questions About the Haiti Assassination Case
Who were the main conspirators in the assassination of Jovenel Moïse?
The main conspirators were Arcángel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio "Tony" Intriago, James Solages, and Walter Veintemilla, all from South Florida.
What was the motive behind the assassination of President Moïse?
The conspirators aimed to replace Moïse with a leader who would award them lucrative security and infrastructure contracts in Haiti.
How did the FBI gather evidence for the trial?
The FBI collected 8,000 gigabytes of data from over 100 electronic devices in the U.S., Colombia, and Haiti, including a detailed summary of communications related to the plot.
What impact did the assassination have on Haiti?
The assassination led to a surge in gang violence, displacing almost 1.5 million Haitians and causing widespread food insecurity.