Two Texas Men Accused of Plotting Violent Invasion of Haitian Island, Intended to Enslave Women and Children

Federal authorities say two young men from North Texas are facing serious charges after allegedly devising an elaborate and disturbing plan to attack a Haitian island and enslave its residents.

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas has indicted 21-year-old Gavin Rivers Weisenburg of Allen and 20-year-old Tanner Christopher Thomas of Argyle. Both are charged with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, along with child pornography offenses.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the pair spent nearly a year — from August 2024 through July 2025 — discussing and preparing to invade Gonave Island, a Haitian territory located off the country’s western shore. Investigators say the men planned to recruit homeless individuals in Washington, D.C., as a makeshift “mercenary” force to help carry out their violent takeover.

Federal prosecutors say their intentions were horrific: the two allegedly discussed murdering all adult men on the island, staging a coup, and forcing the women and children into sexual slavery as part of what officials described as their “rape fantasies.”

Court documents state that the men weren’t just talking — they were taking steps toward making the plan a reality. Prosecutors say they studied Haitian Creole, attempted to recruit others, and made plans to purchase weapons, ammunition, and a sailboat to reach the island. Thomas even enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, allegedly to gain military knowledge they believed would help them in their assault.

If convicted, both men face life in prison on the conspiracy-to-commit-murder charge alone, with an additional 15 to 30 years possible for the child pornography counts.

The investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the FBI along with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.

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Gavin Weisenburg (left), courtesy of Collin County Jail records, and Tanner Thomas (right), courtesy of Comal County Jail records.