In a case that echoes the darkest chapters of colonial violence, two North Texas men have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to invade a Haitian island, murder its male population, and enslave women and children for sexual purposes. The detailed plot, described by one criminologist as the most bizarre he has encountered in nearly three decades, involved preparations that spanned almost a year.
The accused are Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle. A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned a two-count indictment against them, charging both with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country and production of child pornography .
🏝️ The Alleged Plot and Its Targets
The target of the alleged conspiracy was Gonâve Island, the largest island off the coast of Haiti, with a population estimated between 85,000 and 100,000 people . Federal prosecutors state that between August 2024 and July 2025, the two men plotted to recruit and lead an unlawful expeditionary force to the island “for the purpose of carrying out their rape fantasies” .
Their specific alleged plans were horrifyingly clear:
· Invasion and Coup: They planned to purchase a sailboat, firearms, and ammunition, and then recruit members of the homeless population in the Washington, D.C. area to serve as a mercenary force to invade Gonâve Island and stage a coup d’état .
· Murder and Enslavement: The indictment states their intention was to murder all the men on the island and then turn the women and children into their sex slaves .
📝 A Year of Preparation
The indictment outlines numerous overt acts the men allegedly undertook to advance their plan, demonstrating a significant level of commitment to the plot .
The following table summarizes their key preparatory steps:
Action Individual(s) Purpose Outcome
Learned Haitian Creole Both To communicate on the island —
Enrolled in North Texas Fire Academy Weisenburg To gain command-and-control skills Failed out in Feb. 2025
Enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Thomas To acquire military training for the invasion Station changed to Maryland to aid recruitment
Traveled to Thailand Weisenburg To attend a sailing school Did not enroll due to cost
Attempted recruitment (online/in-person) Both To build their “mercenary force” —
⚖️ Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
The case is being jointly investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Celina Police Department . Both men were arrested, with Weisenburg taken into custody in early July .
· Weisenburg’s attorney, David Finn, has cautioned the public against rushing to judgment, stating, “If your initial response to the government’s press release was, ‘That sounds crazy, impossible, and absurd,’ you might be on to something important” .
· Thomas’s attorney has stated his client will plead not guilty and that they will defend the case vigorously .
The potential sentences they face are severe :
· Conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country: Up to life in federal prison.
· Production of child pornography: A minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison.
It is important to remember that an indictment is an allegation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law .
🌎 A Disturbing Pattern and Regional Context
This alleged plot highlights profound international and ethical concerns. The men are accused of targeting Gonâve Island, a region that, according to a 2020 UN report, lacks sufficient judicial personnel and infrastructure and is largely cut off from the rest of Haiti . Their alleged plan to use homeless individuals as a mercenary force adds a layer of predatory exploitation to the already violent scheme .
For the Pan-African community, this case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent vulnerabilities faced by Black nations and the grotesque legacy of colonial and sexual violence that continues to manifest in modern forms. The alleged crimes represent not just a threat to Haiti’s sovereignty but a brutal assault on the fundamental humanity and safety of its people.
The case continues to develop as it moves through the federal court system.
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