Former Driver Hired By Sean Penn's Charity Arrested In Connection To Assassination Of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse
July 10 2021, Published 2:31 p.m. ET
A man who was once hired to work for Sean Penn's disaster relief charity has been arrested in connection to the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse.
James Solages was hired as a driver and worked in the security capacity of the Academy Award winner's J/P Haitian Relief Organization.
Sean Penn and Jovenel Moïse
Penn created the non-profit in 2010 after the Haiti earthquake. His charity was renamed in 2019 to Community Organized Relief Effort or CORE.
Solages was arrested on Thursday, with authorities claiming the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native, and 27 others are responsible for Moïse's death.
The attack happened on Wednesday when heavily armed gunmen ambushed the Haitian President in his mansion, shooting him repeatedly.
Moïse did not survive the attack. His wife Martine Moïse was injured in the ambush and is currently recovering in the hospital.
Photos show the scary moment Moïse's wife was rushed to a nearby hospital on a stretcher.
Martine Moïse arriving to the hospital
Solages, 35, joined Penn's organization in 2010, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the actor's decade-long relief drive.
One insider says Solages left the organization in 2011. All the sources wished to remain anonymous.
Penn was so dedicated to helping Haiti following the devastating 7.0 earthquake that killed more than 300,000 people that former President Michel Martelly gave the actor the title of ambassador at large.
Ironically, Martelly was Moïse's longtime mentor.
Sean Penn and Martine Moïse
Following his arrest, Solages reportedly told an investigative judge in Haiti that he believed he was working as an interpreter for a group of Colombians.
He allegedly thought they were going into Moïse's home to arrest him, not assassinate him.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Cameras captured Solages and several others being arrested following the ambush. Images quickly circulated, showing the suspects lined up against a wall with their hands behind their backs. In front of the men sat two tables full of items like rifles, machetes, mallets, and rope.
According to reports, Solages filed for divorce from his wife last month.
One of his relatives through marriage spoke out following his arrest, saying he was in disbelief over the news.
