Was Mendel Raphael Arrested? Truth Behind Viral Claim About Haitian Influencer

Unverified reports circulated on social media in recent days have falsely claimed that Haitian-American TikTok personality Mendel Raphael, known online as Tatie Mendel, was arrested in the United States.

The rumor originated on TikTok before rapidly proliferating across Facebook, accompanied by a fabricated AI-generated video depicting an alleged arrest and a falsified mugshot. Multiple content creators subsequently posted videos dissecting the supposed event, though none provided any verifiable evidence to support the claim.

The narrative was later challenged by Facebook user Fifi Gonai viennes, who publicly refuted the allegations. In a dedicated post, she asserted that Mendel Raphael had been active on TikTok Live the previous night, engaging with followers until late hours — a timeline inconsistent with any purported detainment. Gonai viennes further criticized those amplifying the unfounded rumors.

To date, no credible media outlet has reported on Raphael’s alleged arrest, and no law enforcement records or official mugshots indicate that he has been taken into custody. The claims appear to stem entirely from fabricated content and clickbait-driven narratives.

This incident aligns with a broader pattern of similar celebrity arrest hoaxes circulating online in recent weeks. A YouTube video recently claimed that rapper Tony “Montana 700” McDowell had been arrested on criminal charges, while other Facebook posts alleged the detention of Kim Richards and “David’s manager.” All of these claims were subsequently proven false.

While the arrest rumors are baseless, Mendel Raphael has previously faced public scrutiny over alleged ties to Haitian gangs. In November 2024, The Haitian Times published an investigative report detailing how criminal organizations in Haiti exploited TikTok to advance their agendas. The article cited gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chertzier, who had issued a violent warning against journalists, declaring:

“Consider journalists as enemies, punishable by death if they oppose us. Journalists defending the elite classes needed to be silenced.”

Within the same report, The Haitian Times referenced Mendel Raphael, alleging that he accepted TikTok gifts from a gang leader identified as Tilapli. Raphael himself acknowledged during a live broadcast that he had received gifts from this figure. He also mentioned that other influencers — Commandant, Parrola, Belle-Enfant, and Trapalman — were among those who received similar contributions.

Additionally, the newspaper published a screenshot showing a gang leader from Grand Ravin, using the handle @Kaporal_Lapli_Officiel, listed as a top contributor in one of Raphael’s livestreams.

Despite these past controversies, no evidence supports the recent claims of his arrest. The allegations remain unfounded, driven by AI-manipulated media and viral misinformation.

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