BY LE FLORIDIEN
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Renan Hédouville, former head of Haiti’s Office de la Protection du Citoyen (OPC), has been arrested by U.S. immigration authorities in Alabama while wanted by Haitian authorities in connection with a corruption investigation.
Hédouville was arrested Tuesday, August 25, in Montgomery and is being held at the Pickens County Detention Center pending immigration proceedings.
According to information provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to American media, Hédouville legally entered the United States on May 4, 2025, but was required to leave by November 2025. ICE says he remained beyond his authorized period of stay and currently has no legal authorization to remain in the country.
Haitian judicial authorities also have an arrest warrant for Hédouville stemming from an investigation into his management of the OPC.
Wanted in Haiti Since 2025
Hédouville served as Haiti’s Protecteur du Citoyen, or Ombudsman, from October 2017 until late 2024. The institution is responsible for protecting citizens against abuses by public authorities and promoting respect for human rights.
In March 2025, Haiti’s Unité de Lutte Contre la Corruption (ULCC) issued a wanted notice for Hédouville as part of an investigation into his administration of the OPC.
The allegations include illegal awarding of public contracts, abuse of office, misappropriation of public property and obstruction of justice.
The case was subsequently referred to Haiti’s Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire (DCPJ).
The accusations against Hédouville have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless found guilty.
More Than 16 Million Gourdes in Questioned Expenses
A significant portion of the ULCC investigation involves expenses related to official foreign travel.
According to findings attributed to the anti-corruption agency, 17 official foreign missions were scheduled between 2022 and 2024, but investigators determined that 10 of those trips never took place.
Despite that finding, approximately 16.59 million Haitian gourdes were allegedly disbursed in connection with the missions.
Investigators reported approximately 7.44 million gourdes in airline-ticket expenses and another 9.15 million gourdes in per diem payments.
The ULCC also recommended judicial action against several other individuals associated with the former OPC administration, including Hédouville’s daughter, Régine Hédouville, and his son-in-law, Tex Viller Celafoi Louis.
Hédouville Remains in U.S. Immigration Custody
For now, Hédouville remains detained in Alabama while his U.S. immigration proceedings continue.
Although some Haitian reports have suggested that he could be deported to Haiti, U.S. authorities have not publicly confirmed an immediate deportation. His immigration case in the United States and the corruption case pending in Haiti are separate legal matters.
If Hédouville is eventually returned to Haiti, Haitian authorities could then move forward with the outstanding warrant and the corruption investigation.
