A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau after he skipped a hearing regarding his pre-trial release for weapons smuggling charges tied to a failed 2020 Venezuela coup attempt. Filmmaker Jen Gatien, who secured his release by pledging her apartment, claims Goudreau became abusive and threatened her. Gatien’s documentary portrays Goudreau’s plan to oust Venezuelan President Maduro. The film’s release strained their relationship, with Gatien accusing him of financial coercion. Goudreau, facing trial in February, insists his mission had Trump administration support.
Highlights
* A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret, after he skipped a hearing regarding his pre-trial release violation.
* Goudreau is accused of plotting a 2020 Venezuela invasion and faces weapons smuggling charges.
* His bond guarantor, Jen Gatien, alleges abuse and fears he’ll flee the country.
* Goudreau, who was undergoing equine therapy, disappeared, leaving his ankle monitor behind.
Former Green Beret on the Run: A Betrayal of Trust and a Failed Coup
The Plot Thickens: Goudreau Evades Court, Faces Arrest
A dramatic turn of events has unfolded in the case of Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret accused of orchestrating a brazen attempt to invade Venezuela in 2020. A federal judge in Tampa has issued an arrest warrant for the 49-year-old after he inexplicably failed to appear for a crucial court hearing regarding his pre-trial release conditions.
Goudreau’s past is marred by controversy. He was initially arrested on charges of weapons smuggling connected to the ill-fated coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
A Bond Broken: Trust, Threats, and Disappearance
The situation took a personal turn when filmmaker Jen Gatien, once a staunch supporter and friend of Goudreau, pledged her $2 million Manhattan apartment as collateral for his bond. Gatien has now come forward with alarming allegations, claiming that Goudreau turned abusive, issued threats against her and others, and even declared his refusal to return to jail.
“I believe he intends one day to leave this country,” Gatien testified, revealing Goudreau’s past life on a sailboat in Mexico. Her fears seem to be materializing.
Even Goudreau’s attorney expressed bewilderment, stating, “I’m at a loss. I have not spoken to him as to why he’s not here.”
Adding to the intrigue, Goudreau’s ankle monitor, meant to track his whereabouts, remained in the Tampa area, where he was receiving equine-assisted therapy under VA supervision.
“Men of War”: A Documentary Gone Sour
Gatien’s documentary, “Men of War,” initially portrayed Goudreau’s mercenary plan with a degree of sympathy. The film chronicles the training of Venezuelan army deserters in Colombia, with the ultimate goal of sparking a popular rebellion against Maduro.
However, the film’s release has soured the relationship between Gatien and Goudreau. Gatien has accused him of:
- Deceit
- Financial coercion
- Threatening conduct
She claims Goudreau reneged on a promise to pledge his substantial reserves of cash, gold coins, and cryptocurrency to mitigate her financial risk as his bond guarantor.
The data speaks for itself: The incursion was a disaster, with numerous would-be freedom fighters killed and two of Goudreau’s associates imprisoned in Venezuela.
“Bay of Piglets”: A Cautionary Tale
The failed 2020 invasion, dubbed the “Bay of Piglets,” serves as a stark reminder of the Trump administration’s often haphazard approach to regime change in Venezuela.
The UN human rights chief stated that U.S. must stop its military strikes against boats in the region to prevent “extrajudicial killing.”
Amidst this turmoil, Goudreau has re-emerged as a media figure, captivating both Trump supporters and critics.
Weapons Cache and Betrayal
The plot thickens further with the involvement of an Oklahoma couple, Brande and Jason Woolems. They were storing some of Goudreau’s belongings, including two assault rifles, which an associate attempted to retrieve, potentially violating a court order.
The couple claims Goudreau pressured them to make false accusations against Gatien to prevent her from withdrawing from the bond agreement.
“When we declined, he called us ‘Judas’ and accused us of betrayal, yelling repeatedly in anger,” they stated in a sworn affidavit.
Call to action: What do you think? Should Goudreau be extradited and face the charges?
Share your thoughts.
FAQ
Here are 6 FAQs based on the provided article:
Who is Jordan Goudreau and why is he in trouble? Jordan Goudreau is a former Green Beret accused of plotting to invade Venezuela in 2020. He was arrested on weapons smuggling charges related to this failed coup attempt. He is now facing an arrest warrant for failing to appear in court, violating the conditions of his pre-trial release.
What was Goudreau’s alleged plan in Venezuela? Goudreau’s plan was to train a mercenary force of Venezuelan army deserters in Colombia to conduct a cross-border raid, hoping to spark a rebellion and remove President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Who is Jen Gatien and what is her connection to Goudreau? Jen Gatien is a filmmaker who provided collateral (her $2 million apartment) for Goudreau’s bond. She also made a documentary called “Men of War” about Goudreau’s failed Venezuela invasion. She is now accusing Goudreau of deceit, financial coercion, and threatening conduct.
Why is Gatien trying to revoke Goudreau’s bond? Gatien alleges that Goudreau made promises to pledge his assets to mitigate her financial risk as his bond guarantor, but he has not kept those promises. She also shared threatening text messages from Goudreau where he stated he wouldn’t return to jail, suggesting he might flee.
What does the article mean by “Bay of Piglets?” The term “Bay of Piglets” is used as a derisive label for the 2020 invasion attempt of Venezuela. It references the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961 and implies that Goudreau’s operation was similarly poorly planned and executed.
What is Goudreau saying about the U.S. government’s involvement in Venezuela? Goudreau claims that his mission in Venezuela had implicit approval from the Trump administration but was sabotaged by “deep-state actors” like the CIA and State Department. He also alleges that Trump’s claims about Maduro being a drug cartel leader are a “fabrication of the CIA.”