U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Florida, Gregory W. Kehoe, announced that Francesca Charles, 28, a Haitian-American woman residing in Jacksonville, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods out of the United States and to illegally ship firearms and contraband goods. She faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 18.

According to court documents, in February 2025, Dominican Republic authorities seized 36,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 18 assault rifle magazines, 13 9mm magazines, one .50 caliber rifle magazine, a silencer, and 25 firearms: a .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle, 17 7.62 caliber rifles, one 9mm rifle, five 9mm Glock pistols, and an Uzi submachine gun concealed inside a shipping container from Miami to Haiti. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44408-haiti-flash-major-seizure-of-weapons-and-ammunition-in-the-dr-a-major-blow-for-gangs.html

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The Office of the Attorney General of Florida (AFL) and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) determined that Francesca Charles, Jacques Pierre (32), and his brother Jeff Pierre (34), both Haitian citizens residing in Florida, were the purchasers of at least 20 of the 23 firearms seized in the shipping container.

During the investigation, agents discovered that the defendants had purchased at least 46 firearms between May 2024 and February 2025, most of which were the same makes and models as those recovered in the Dominican Republic. Thirty-seven of these firearms were acquired between August 9, 2024, and February 10, 2025. Francesca Charles alone purchased at least 24 of the 46 identified firearms.

Investigators also obtained documents showing that Jacques Pierre had purchased two .50 caliber Barrett rifles, heavy military-style weapons typically mounted on vehicles and frequently used by gangs and cartels in violent activities.

In related legal proceedings, Jacques Pierre and his brother Jeff were indicted on charges of conspiracy to smuggle goods out of the United States and illegally ship firearms, smuggling goods out of the United States, and illegally shipping firearms. If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

HL/ HaitiLibre