Two North Texas men are facing federal charges after prosecutors say they devised an elaborate and violent plan to invade a small island off the coast of Haiti, kill its male inhabitants, and enslave the women and children.
According to the indictment, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle, allegedly spent months developing what authorities describe as a “paramilitary-style operation” targeting Gonâve Island, a remote Haitian community home to tens of thousands of people.
Federal investigators say the two men planned to assemble a mercenary force by recruiting individuals from homeless communities in Washington, D.C., offering them roles within a so-called “militia” that would carry out the attack. Prosecutors allege the pair discussed purchasing a sailboat, weapons, ammunition, and other gear they believed necessary to seize control of the island.
The indictment claims the men’s intentions were explicit and brutal:
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Kill all the men on the island
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Capture the women and children
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Use them as slaves, including for sexual exploitation
Authorities say Weisenburg and Thomas took concrete steps toward making the operation possible. One studied Haitian Creole, while the other enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, allegedly hoping to gain tactical skills and weapons training. Investigators also say the men conducted online research about military tactics, maritime travel, and potential routes to Haiti.
Beyond the alleged invasion plot, both men also face charges related to the production of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors say evidence uncovered during the investigation revealed the creation and possession of explicit material involving minors.
If convicted of the foreign conspiracy charges — which include murder, kidnapping, and other violent offenses — both defendants face up to life in federal prison. The child pornography charges carry an additional 15 to 30 years each.
The case has drawn national attention due to the disturbing nature of the allegations and the seemingly improbable scope of the plan. Legal experts note that while the plot may appear unrealistic, the men’s concrete steps — including training, planning, and recruitment efforts — are what triggered federal intervention.
Both defendants are currently awaiting trial. Prosecutors emphasize that an indictment is not a conviction, and the men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.