The former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, Jean Morose Viliena, has been sentenced to nine years in prison by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston for immigration fraud. Viliena was found guilty of illegally obtaining a Permanent Resident Card through false statements regarding his involvement in extrajudicial and political killings during his tenure as mayor.
Viliena, 53, will also face three years of supervised release following his prison term and is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. His conviction on March 28, 2025, came after a two-week jury trial where he was found guilty on three counts of visa fraud.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated, “Jean Morose Viliena built a life in the United States by burying the truth about his violent past – a past marked by political persecution, bloodshed and the silencing of dissent in Haiti.” She added that today’s sentencing delivers justice for those affected by Viliena’s actions and emphasizes that the U.S. will not harbor human rights abusers.
Matthew R. Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division remarked on Viliena’s violent acts while serving as mayor and how he misled U.S. immigration authorities to enter the country unlawfully. He emphasized that individuals who commit violent crimes abroad should expect accountability under U.S. law.
Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations highlighted their commitment to holding individuals accountable for violence and fraud regardless of where these crimes occurred.
Viliena served as mayor from December 2006 until at least February 2010 and was supported by Korega, a political machine known for armed violence in southwestern Haiti. Under his leadership, several incidents of violence were reported against political opponents and local journalists.
In one incident in July 2007, Viliena led an armed group that resulted in the death of a witness’s younger brother following testimony against him. Another incident involved an attack on a community radio station in April 2008 where firearms were distributed among militia members leading to severe injuries to individuals associated with the station.
Viliena entered the United States after falsely declaring on an immigration form that he had not participated in acts of violence against Haitians. His application was approved based on these false representations allowing him lawful permanent residency status.
A civil lawsuit filed against Viliena resulted in him being held liable for extrajudicial killings and attempted torture with $11 million awarded to plaintiffs as punitive damages.
The announcement was made by various officials including U.S. Attorney Foley; DOJ Head Galeotti; HSI SAC Krol; Jennifer De La O from U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Matthew O’Brien from Diplomatic Security Service; Denis C. Riordan from USCIS Fraud Detection Division along with assistance from multiple agencies including Malden Police Department and HRSP historian Christopher Hayden.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan prosecuted the case alongside Alexandra Skinnion from Justice Department’s Human Rights Section.
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