Coup Attempters Sentenced to Prison

Four United States citizens have been sentenced for their roles in planning and executing an unsuccessful coup attempt to overthrow the government of The Gambia in 2014.

A federal court in Minnesota has handed down prison sentences to CHERNO NJIE, 58, of Lakeway, Texas, who was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, ALGIE BARROW, 43, of Lavergne, Tennessee, who received six months in prison, and BANKA MANNEH, 43, of Jonesboro, Georgia, who was sentenced to six months in prison. A fourth defendant, PAPA FAAL, 47, also received a sentence, but details were not provided.

The men, who were all part of a conspiracy to overthrow the Gambian government, engaged in military and political planning for the coup, which included researching and purchasing firearms, as well as discussing the logistics of the operation. They also engaged in regular discussions by phone, email, or face-to-face at NJIE’s residence in Texas.

The plot was eventually discovered, and the men attempted to execute the coup on December 30, 2014. However, they were met with heavy fire from the guard towers at the State House in Banjul, and several of their co-conspirators were killed. The defendants then fled to Senegal before returning to the United States.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its partners on Joint Terrorism Task Forces in multiple FBI field offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kovats prosecuted the case, with assistance from Richard Scott, a Deputy Chief of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The sentencing of these four men serves as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to overthrow a foreign government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has stated that while they respect the right of any person to voice opposition to a government or its policies, this case is a good example of how not to do so.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Rascon's Role in Major Money Laundering Scheme Exposed

Jul 1, 2005

Violent Crime

Johnson Michael, Federal Bribery, California 2022

Jul 1, 2024

Violent Crime

Zamora Convicted for Violent Crime, Illinois, 2006

Oct 17, 2006

Violent Crime

Hosea Scott, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Georgia 2018

Sep 16, 2019