Michael Sang Correa, a 46-year-old Gambian national, has been sentenced to 67 years and six months in prison following his conviction in the District of Colorado for conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture. The case marks the first time a non-U.S. national has been convicted on federal torture charges in the United States.
According to evidence presented at trial, Correa was part of an armed unit called the “Junglers,” which operated under former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. The jury found that Correa conspired with others to commit acts of torture against individuals suspected of plotting against Jammeh. Victims were subjected to severe abuse including beatings, stabbings, burnings with molten plastic and cigarettes, electrocutions, suffocation with plastic bags, and other forms of physical violence during their detention at Mile 2 Prison in The Gambia after a failed coup attempt in March 2006.
“Today, Michael Correa has finally been held accountable for the brutal violence he inflicted on others,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. “The United States will not be a safe haven for individuals who seek to conceal their egregious human rights violations. We are proud to have worked with our law enforcement partners to secure this sentence, and we thank the brave victims whose testimony helped ensure that justice is done.”
“The victims of these crimes carried the weight of unimaginable suffering for years, not knowing whether they would ever see their torturer held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado. “Today’s sentence delivers a measure of justice for them and affirms that the United States stands firmly with those whose human rights have been violated. This prosecution and sentence should serve as a deterrent for criminals who think they might escape accountability by coming to Colorado.”
“Mr. Correa’s crimes were barbaric and uncivilized; they have no place in the modern world,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Cagen of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Denver. “I hope this sentence can bring some kind of closure for his victims and their families. A standard was set with this trial and sentencing, Homeland Security Investigations will hunt down and bring to justice those that commit these horrific crimes.”
Testimony from several victims detailed lasting physical injuries as well as psychological harm resulting from Correa's actions.
Correa entered the United States on a visa in December 2016—ten years after committing these acts—and avoided arrest until ICE apprehended him in 2019 before placing him into removal proceedings.
The investigation was led by HSI Denver Field Office with assistance from HSI agents based in Senegal, staff at the U.S. Embassy in Banjul (The Gambia), FBI Legal Attaché personnel in Senegal, and significant support from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). The HRVWCC works since its establishment in 2009 to identify human rights abusers residing or hiding within U.S borders.
Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman; Chief Laura Cramer-Babycz (Cybercrime & National Security Section); Acting Principal Deputy Chief Christina Giffin; Trial Attorney Marie Zisa (Criminal Division’s Human Rights & Special Prosecutions Section); assisted by HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about suspected human rights violators living in the United States to contact law enforcement via phone or online through ICE’s tip line or web form: www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.
