Gambian Torturer Sentenced to Over 67 Years in Colorado

Michael Sang Correa, 46, has become the first non-U.S. national to be convicted of torture in U.S. history after receiving a staggering sentence of 67 years and six months for his barbaric crimes. The District Court of Colorado found him guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of actual torture. Correa’s cruel actions included burning victims with molten plastic and administering repeated beatings with various weapons over weeks.

‘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,’ Galeotti added.

U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado echoed the sentiment, stating, ‘The victims of these crimes carried the weight of unimaginable suffering for years, not knowing whether they would ever see their torturer held accountable. 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.’

‘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,’ Cagen concluded.

Evidence at the trial showed Correa served in an armed unit known as the ‘Junglers’ under The Gambia’s former President, Yahya Jammeh. As a Jungler, he conspired with others to commit torture and personally tortured five victims who were targeted based on suspicions that they had plotted against Jammeh. Several victims described enduring lasting physical and psychological harm due to Correa’s actions.

In March 2006, Correa and his co-conspirators transported the victims to Mile 2 Prison in The Gambia, where they endured severe abuse including beatings, stabbings, burnings, and electrocutions. One victim recounted being burned with molten plastic and suspended by a bag, while another described suffocating with a plastic bag over his head with a pistol barrel placed in his mouth. Correa was arrested by ICE in 2019 and charged with torture in 2020.