Two Texas Men Charged in International Conspiracy and Child Exploitation Case
TEXAS – Two Texas men have been charged with federal crimes stemming from a disturbing alleged plot to invade a Caribbean island and commit horrific acts of violence, alongside charges related to the production of child pornography. Gavin Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner thomas, 20, of Argyle, were charged last week with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, and with producing child pornography, including persuading a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of texas, the men allegedly conspired to launch an expeditionary force to the island of Gonave, a haitian territory approximately 30 miles northwest of Port-au-Prince.The island has a population of roughly 87,000. The indictment alleges the conspiracy spanned from August 2024 to July of this year.
The alleged plan involved acquiring a sailboat,firearms,and ammunition,and recruiting individuals experiencing homelessness in Washington D.C.to participate in a coup d’état. prosecutors state the intended outcome was to “murder all the men on the island and then turn all the women and children into their sexual slaves.”
Both men reportedly took steps to prepare for the operation. Weisenburg enrolled in a fire academy in the Dallas area,though he did not complete the training. He then traveled to Thailand to attend sailing school in preparation for purchasing a vessel and traveling to Haiti. Thomas enlisted in the U.S.Air Force,and afterward requested a transfer to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland,allegedly to facilitate recruitment efforts among the homeless population in Washington D.C.
The pair also reportedly developed logistical and operational plans and began learning haitian Creole.
Attorneys for both men have indicated their clients will plead not guilty.David Finn, Weisenburg’s attorney, stated to NPR that while some aspects of the government’s statement may be factually accurate, they could be ”deeply misleading.” John Helms, Thomas’ attorney, stated his team will “firmly defend him against these charges.”
If convicted of conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, Weisenburg and Thomas each face up to life in federal prison. A conviction on the child pornography charges carries a potential sentence of 15 to 30 years in federal prison.
the case is being prosecuted by Federal Prosecutor Ryan Locker and investigated by the FBI,the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations,and the Celina Police Department.
