FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRM (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON A federal Grand Jury in Miami today charged Roy Belfast Jr. in a superseding indictment with additional crimes of torture occurring in Liberia between 1999 to 2003, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Assistant Director Joseph Billy Jr. for the Counterterrorism Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today.
Roy M. Belfast Jr., 30, aka Chuckie Taylor, aka Charles Taylor, Jr., aka Charles Taylor II, aka Charles McArther Emmanuel was previously charged on December 6, 2006, with one count of torture, one count of conspiracy to torture, and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Trial is currently set for January 8, 2008.
The superseding indictment, which incorporates the conduct charged in the prior indictment, includes five counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to torture, one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and one count of conspiracy to use a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. The defendant, who was born in the United States, is the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, and is alleged to have been a commander of an armed security force in Liberia during his fathers administration.
According to the superseding indictment, the defendant committed torture and caused and aided and abetted others to commit torture by, among other things, burning certain victims with molten plastic, lit cigarettes, candle wax and an iron; severely beating victims with firearms; cutting and stabbing certain victims; and shocking certain victims with an electric device.
The defendant is currently in federal custody on the pending indictment. On Sept. 15, 2006, the defendant pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of passport fraud, and on December 7, 2006, he was sentenced to 11 months in prison.
The indictment includes charges with maximum penalties ranging up to life in prison.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.
The joint investigation is being conducted by ICE and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Rochlin and Caroline Heck Miller of the Southern District of Florida, and Trial Attorney John Cox of the Criminal Division. 07-688
Source: US Department of Justice
