A Maryland man was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing two minor girls in Burkina Faso while working as an employee at the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou. Fode Sitafa Mara, 41, received his sentence from Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby and will also serve a lifetime of supervised release.
Mara, a U.S. citizen, was convicted by a federal jury in October 2025 on four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count of attempted obstruction of justice. The offenses took place in 2022 and 2023.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the sentence alongside Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva from the Department of Justice Criminal Division; Deputy Assistant Director George Semertsidis from the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); Laura Rousseau from USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG); and Acting Executive Director John Condon from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“Our message is clear, those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price,” Hayes said. “Mara targeted and abused two innocent young girls, and now he’ll be behind bars for a long time where he belongs. We’re committed to partnering with our community and law-enforcement partners to ensure that justice is served by relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting predators who commit these deplorable acts.”
Duva added: “The defendant, while representing the U.S. government abroad, violently sexually abused two acutely vulnerable child victims. His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today’s outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children – domestically or abroad - will face significant consequences in the American justice system. We thank our partners at the U.S. State Department for helping us pursue justice for these victims.”
Semertsidis stated: “The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is committed to protecting the integrity of U.S. diplomatic missions and ensuring the safety of local communities where we serve. We will thoroughly investigate any allegations of criminal conduct by those associated with U.S. diplomatic facilities and work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring offenders to justice. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to accountability and the protection of the most vulnerable.”
Rousseau commented: “Protecting children and safeguarding vulnerable populations from sexual exploitation and abuse is a core priority of the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General (USAID OIG) and we will continue to pursue those who violate that trust wherever they operate," Rousseau said. “With continued oversight jurisdiction over foreign assistance, USAID OIG will ensure significant consequences for perpetrators, holding accountable anyone who exploits their overseas positions — including individuals employed by the United States, aid organizations, or the United Nations.”
Condon remarked: “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Maryland, with assistance from federal law enforcement partners, demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in bringing justice for the victims in this case,” Condon said. “Their relentless pursuit of the facts and commitment to protecting vulnerable children across the world exemplifies HSI’s mission to investigate crimes that threaten the safety and security of our communities at home and abroad. HSI remains steadfast in its efforts to combat child exploitation and ensure that those who harm children are held fully accountable. I commend our agents for their outstanding work and unwavering dedication to uphold the values of justice and integrity.”
Court records showed Mara repeatedly raped two teenage girls living near his embassy-leased residence between 2022-2023 while they were ages 13 and 15 years old. He used their mother's illness as leverage for sexual demands after providing them with cell phones so he could contact them when his wife was not home.
He was also found guilty for sending explicit messages to one victim as well as trying to persuade his housekeeper to lie during investigations.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative led by United States Attorney’s Offices along with state agencies—which aims to combat child sexual exploitation through investigation, prosecution, rescue operations, as well as education efforts about internet safety.
Authorities credited investigative support from DSS Special Investigations teams at both headquarters and Ouagadougou; USAID OIG; HSI; as well as Burkinabé authorities.
More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc , which includes resources on internet safety education under its Resources tab.
Further details about programs run by Maryland's U.S Attorney's Office are available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md .
