Overview:
Jean Morose Viliena convicted of U.S. visa fraud for overlaying up political killings in Haiti.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — A jury in Boston, Massachusetts, convicted Jean Morose Viliena, the previous mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, on Friday, March 28, of U.S. immigration fraud for mendacity about his previous involvement in political violence. Prosecutors efficiently argued that Viliena fraudulently obtained a U.S. inexperienced card by falsely claiming on his visa utility that he had by no means participated in extrajudicial killings, torture or different types of violence in Haiti.
Viliena was the group’s mayor from 2006 to 2010. He led a violent municipal workforce and armed supporters, using them to implement his insurance policies by means of intimidation and brutality. Les Irois is a commune positioned in Haiti’s Grande-Anse Division, roughly 200 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.
“The Division of Justice won’t tolerate human rights violators coming into and shifting illegally inside our communities,” mentioned Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Division’s Prison Division.
“We’re grateful to the brave victims and witnesses who helped regulation enforcement and prosecutors maintain Viliena accountable for his crimes,” he added.
U.S. Lawyer Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts known as Viliena’s crimes “appalling” and emphasised that the U.S. won’t be a protected haven for perpetrators of political violence.
The ex-Haitian mayor’s immigration fraud conviction carries a most penalty of 10 years in jail, three years of supervised launch and a $250,000 high-quality. A federal decide will decide his closing sentence on June 20.
The prosecution—led by Alexandra Skinnion of the Human Rights and Particular Prosecutions (HRSP) Part of the Prison Division, alongside Assistant U.S. Lawyer Laura J. Kaplan for the District of Massachusetts, with help from Christopher Hayden, an HRSP analyst—continues a federal grievance filed in March 2017 by the Heart for Justice & Accountability in Massachusetts towards the previous mayor, on behalf of three Haitian nationals who accuse him of violent persecution.
The Homeland Safety Investigations unit (HSI) in Boston investigated the case in coordination with the Human Rights Violators and Struggle Crimes Heart (HRVWCC).
Viliena, now residing in Malden, north of Boston, faces extra punitive damages for torture, homicide and arson. The 2017 grievance sought justice and damages for the household of a Haitian man killed and two others severely injured by Viliena’s alleged felony acts.
“The Division of Justice won’t tolerate human rights violators coming into and shifting illegally inside our communities.”
Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Division’s Prison Division
Previous human rights abuses and a 2023 conviction
Viliena’s immigration fraud conviction follows a March 2023 verdict by which a Boston jury discovered him liable for human rights violations in Haiti. The jury dominated he was responsible for the 2007 homicide of younger Haitian man Eclesiaste Boniface, in addition to torture and tried homicide towards two different victims, Juders Ysemé and Nissage Martyr. The plaintiffs, represented by the Heart for Justice & Accountability (CJA), have been awarded $15.5 million in damages.
“I devoted over 15 years to holding Mayor Viliena accountable for ordering the homicide of my brother,” mentioned David Boniface, brother of Eclesiaste Boniface, on the time. “This verdict brings justice to my household and the victims of Viliena’s terror marketing campaign.”
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice, Viliena was supported by Korega, a political group that maintained management over southwestern Haiti by means of armed violence. Witnesses testified that he oversaw a municipal militia that carried out killings, beatings and intimidation.
One of many first documented incidents occurred on July 27, 2007, when Viliena and his armed males attacked a resident’s residence. Witnesses mentioned he personally ordered the killing of Eclesiaste Boniface, smashing his cranium with a rock after capturing him.
The second main assault occurred in April 2008, after group members launched an area radio station. Witnesses testified that Viliena opposed the station’s existence and led an armed group to close it down.
- One sufferer was severely crushed and shot within the leg, later requiring an amputation.
- One other sufferer who tried to flee was dragged by means of the station and shot within the face, leaving him blind in a single eye. Medical stories affirm he nonetheless has shotgun pellets embedded in his physique.
“I devoted over 15 years to holding Mayor Viliena accountable for ordering the homicide of my brother.”
David Boniface, plaintiff and brother of sufferer Eclesiaste Boniface
From being responsible of homicide and political violence to U.S. immigrant visa fraud
Viliena lied when he utilized for a U.S. immigrant visa on June 3, 2008, on the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. The applying particularly requested if he had ever participated in extrajudicial killings or political violence. He falsely answered “no” and swore beneath oath that his statements have been truthful.
Primarily based on this false declaration, the U.S. granted him a visa the subsequent day. The previous Les Irois mayor entered the USA on July 14, 2008, as a lawful everlasting resident. He later used his fraudulently obtained inexperienced card to stay in Massachusetts.