Haitian gang leader charged over U.S. missionaries' kidnapping

• The 400 Mawozo gang's youngest kidnapping victim was 8 months old, the Justice Department said.

Driving the news: Germine was transferred from a Haitian jail into U.S. custody on May 3 on firearms trafficking charges in a separate case and was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia on Tuesday for conspiracy to commit hostage taking, the Justice Department said.

• Federal prosecutors allege that Germine was in a Haitian prison when he "directed and asserted control of 400 Mawozo gang members' kidnapping operations, including ransom negotiation for the hostages' release."
• "One of the gang's stated goals in holding the hostages was to secure from the Haitian government Germine's release from prison," according to the DOJ.

What they're saying: "This case shows that the Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to track down anyone who kidnaps a U.S. citizen abroad," Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

• "We will utilize the full reach of our law enforcement authorities to hold accountable anyone responsible for undermining the safety of Americans anywhere in the world," he added.