Texas men indicted for plot to murder men on island near Haiti, use women & children as sex slaves.

The scheme included recruiting unhoused individuals in Washington, D.C. to form a mercenary group.

PLANO, Texas (KSLA) — Two North Texas men have been indicted for allegedly planning an armed takeover of an island near Haiti, intending to kill the men and exploit the women and children, according to U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle, were charged in a two-count federal indictment from the Eastern District of Texas. The charges include conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, as well as production of child pornography.

Court records indicate that between August 2024 and July 2025, Weisenburg and Thomas allegedly planned to recruit and command a mercenary group to travel to the Island of Gonave in Haiti, intending to fulfill their violent rape fantasies.

Authorities report that Weisenburg and Thomas intended to purchase a sailboat, firearms, and ammunition, then recruit unhoused individuals in the Washington, D.C. area to form their “army,” invade Gonave Island, and attempt a coup d’état.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Weisenburg and Thomas planned to kill all the men on the island so they could enslave the women and children for sexual exploitation.

Investigators say the two took several steps toward carrying out their scheme, including developing operational and logistical plans, studying Haitian Creole, attempting to recruit participants for the invasion, and researching or enrolling in schools to gain skills needed for their plot. Thomas allegedly even joined the U.S. Air Force to acquire military training they believed would support their planned attack.

If found guilty of the federal conspiracy charge, Weisenburg and Thomas could receive up to life in federal prison. A conviction for producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.