A former soldier from Gambia, Michael Sang Correa, has been convicted of torture in the United States for crimes he committed years ago in his home country. The verdict came on April 15, and it marks a big moment because Correa is the first non-U.S. citizen ever convicted under America’s criminal torture law.
What Did Correa Do?
Correa, now 46 years old, was once part of a brutal unit in the Gambian military known as the “Junglers.” This unit worked for former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, whose government has been accused of many human rights violations. Correa and his group targeted people who were believed to be against the president. They would arrest these individuals and then torture them in horrible ways.
In March 2006, shortly after a failed coup in Gambia, Correa and his team took several people to Mile 2 Prison, the country’s main jail. There, they tortured them for days and weeks using extremely cruel methods.
What Victims Said in Court
During the trial, many victims shared the painful memories of what they went through. One person said Correa burned his thigh with molten plastic. Another said he was put in a bag, hung in the air, then dropped. Some described being electrocuted, stabbed, suffocated with plastic bags, and even hit with hammers. The abuse was shocking and caused lasting damage to the victims.
How Correa Was Caught
Correa came to the U.S. in 2016, after leaving Gambia. He settled in Denver, Colorado, and tried to live a quiet life, hoping no one would find out about his past. But in 2019, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) found him. He had overstayed his visa and was arrested.
After investigating his background, the U.S. government decided to prosecute him under their torture laws, showing that even crimes committed outside the country could be punished if the person hides in the U.S.
What Officials Said
U.S. officials strongly condemned Correa’s actions. They said that America will not be a safe place for people who try to escape justice after committing violent acts.
Steve Cagen from ICE said, “Correa chose the wrong country to escape justice. We have zero tolerance for human rights violators.”
Matthew Galeotti from the Justice Department added, “If you commit torture or other serious crimes, don’t think you can hide in the U.S. We will find you and bring you to justice.”
What Happens Next?
Correa has been convicted of five counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture. For each count, he could face up to 20 years in prison. He is now in U.S. custody, waiting for his sentencing.
This case was a result of hard work by several agencies, including ICE HSI Denver, FBI, U.S. Embassy in Banjul, and the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). These teams work together to make sure that the U.S. does not become a hiding place for people who have committed crimes like war crimes, genocide, or torture.
Currently, ICE is working on more than 180 active cases of suspected human rights violators. Since 2003, they have stopped over 390 suspected war criminals from entering the U.S.
The conviction of Michael Sang Correa sends a strong message around the world: No matter where crimes like torture are committed, justice can still catch up with you. The U.S. is showing that it will not protect or shelter those who have caused great harm to others. For victims of such abuse, this verdict brings some sense of justice and hope that the world is watching—and acting.
