Simbala Gory, Naturalization Fraud, North Carolina 2023

A convicted child molester in North Carolina has been sentenced to three years’ probation and six months’ home detention for naturalization fraud.

Simbala Gory, 45, a naturalized citizen of the United States, born in Mali and residing in Guilford County, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Richard E. Myers, II in federal court.

According to court records, on July 26, 2016, Gory fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship by making materially false statements under oath regarding his naturalization application.

In response to the question ‘Have you ever committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?’ he answered ‘No.’ Also, in response to the question ‘Were you ever involved in any way with any of the following – Forcing, or trying to force, someone to have any kind of sexual contact or relations?’ he answered ‘No.’

On September 28, 2020, in the Superior Court of North Carolina in Guilford County, Gory was convicted of sex offense-parental role. Gory was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of between 20 and 84 months and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Gory’s crime resulted in the birth of a child. Gory was not arrested until after he naturalized, thus immigration officials were unaware of his crime.

Those engaged in such criminal conduct, or considering doing so, would do well to realize that our office is committed to pursuing these acts for prosecution, even if their conduct does not come to light until well after the crime. They should forever be worried their actions will catch up to them, said G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00503-1M(1).

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