Former Diplomat Gets 12 Months for Wife Assault

Michael Makalou, a 41-year-old former State Department employee, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for assaulting his wife with a dangerous weapon, causing her to lose consciousness.

The assault occurred on August 13, 2011, in their home in Dakar, Senegal, where Makalou resided with his wife and children. According to court documents, Makalou repeatedly punched, choked, kicked, and dragged his wife, ultimately striking her in the head with a large plastic dollhouse weighing approximately 10 pounds.

The victim suffered multiple injuries, including contusions, lacerations, and a concussion. The assault lasted approximately six hours, leaving the woman severely injured. Makalou was found guilty on February 8, 2012, following a two-day bench trial.

U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris handed down the sentence in the Eastern District of Virginia. Makalou was indicted in October 2011 and was found guilty after a two-day bench trial. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sarah Chang of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebeca H. Bellows of the Eastern District of Virginia.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the U.S. State Department. Makalou’s crimes have sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community, highlighting the need for accountability among public officials.

Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H. MacBride announced the sentencing. Makalou’s sentence serves as a reminder that domestic violence will not be tolerated, and those who commit such crimes will be held accountable.

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