A criminal complaint in the District of Utah has charged Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, and Joseph Peter Moesser, four U.S. citizens, with several offenses, including conspiring to provide material support, use weapons of mass destruction, and commit murder and kidnapping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to the complaint, the defendants are accused of planning a coup d'état targeting DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe. Armed individuals allegedly attacked the official residences of these leaders, resulting in multiple casualties. The attackers aimed to overthrow the DRC government and establish a new regime, the New Zaire, with Christian Malanga, now deceased, as president.
The defendants allegedly conspired to provide extensive support and resources to the rebel army, including weapons and explosives. They reportedly planned to use drone-deployed bombs and flamethrowers. The accused also allegedly recruited personnel for the armed operation and transported weapons and resources from the United States to the DRC.
If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties, including up to life imprisonment for the most serious charges. Their initial court appearances are scheduled in Brooklyn, New York, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti, Sue J. Bai of the DOJ's National Security Division, and Mehtab Syed of the FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office announced the charges. The FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office, along with other agencies, is conducting the ongoing investigation.
Federal prosecutors leading the case include Bryan R. Whittaker, Jonathan Stowers, and Tanya Senanayake, with support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
