Haitian nonprofit files criminal charges against Trump, JD Vance over claims pets were used as food by Springfield migrants

Criminal charges were filed against GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, on Tuesday in connection with allegations that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, as per WSXY.

Guerline Jozef, the executive director of the nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance, filed the charges on behalf of the organization in accordance with an Ohio statute that permits private citizens to file criminal charges, which are then affirmed or denied by a state court. According to the complaint, the allegations reportedly resulted in numerous threats over the past few weeks, straining local resources and city services.

The charges filed against Trump and Vance include making false alarms, committing telecommunications harassment, committing aggravated menacing, and violating the prohibition against complicity, as per the affidavit. The nonprofit is requesting that the court issue arrest warrants for the GOP nominee and his running mate.

Jozef alleged that the dissemination of such allegations by Trump and Vance resulted in the harassment of members of the local Haitian community. She also argued that the former president and his running mate should be prosecuted for their actions. The charges, she said, are based on the fact that the claims have been "debunked" on several occasions by both city and state officials.

The City Law Director, Springfield City prosecutor, and the Clark County prosecutor will review the charges to determine if there is probable cause to take action.

"The Haitian Bridge Alliance and Ms. Jozef respectfully request that his Court make independent findings of probable cause based on the facts presented," the affidavit reads, which also calls on authorities to "issue warrants for Trump's and Vance's arrests."

The filing alleges that "if anyone else had done what they have done, to the devastating effect experienced in Springfield, police and prosecutors would have filed charges by now."

Local residents have expressed concerns about the large influx of Haitians wreaking havoc on the small community. Specifically, reckless driving that has turned roads into combat zones. The residents claim that Haitians received driver's licenses without first learning how to drive, resulting in catastrophic accidents and even deaths. 

Some residents have claimed that the migrants are eating ducks from the park, with one calling the police and saying four migrants each had a goose in hand. While reports of domesticated animals being taken and eaten have not been confirmed, City Manager Bryan Heck said in a March Springfield City Commission meeting that he had heard reports of such things taking place.

The allegations against Haitian migrants have sparked a firestorm in Springfield, where national media has descended for weeks and bomb threats have closed local schools and government facilities. However, the bomb threats were determined to be "hoaxes" made from "overseas," Governor Mike DeWine said. This occurred after Trump spoke on the reports made by local residents during the presidential debate earlier this month, which were then reiterated by JD Vance and other Republican lawmakers. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denied the existence of any credible evidence to substantiate the claims.