Michael Sang Correa, Torture, Colorado 2023

A 46-year-old Gambian man has been sentenced to over 67 years in prison for his role in a brutal torture scheme that left victims with physical and psychological scars.

Michael Sang Correa was convicted in the District of Colorado of one count of conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture. He was sentenced to 67 years and 6 months in prison.

The crimes, which took place in March 2006, were carried out by Correa and his co-conspirators in an armed unit known as the 'Junglers,' which reported to The Gambia's former President, Yahya Jammeh.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Correa personally tortured five victims, who were targeted based on suspicions that they had plotted against Jammeh. The victims suffered severe abuse, including beatings, stabbings, burnings, and electrocutions.

Correa was able to evade apprehension for over a decade, obtaining a visa and entering the United States in December 2016. He was arrested by ICE in 2019 and charged with torture in 2020.

This is the first conviction of a non-U.S. national on federal torture charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward and testifying against Correa.

'Today's sentence delivers a measure of justice for the victims and affirms that the United States stands firmly with those whose human rights have been violated,' said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly.

The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) significantly supported the case, which was investigated by the HSI Denver Field Office with support from HSI agents in Senegal, as well as personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Banjul, The Gambia, and the FBI Legal Attaché in Senegal.

Defendant: Michael Sang Correa

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture

City and State: Colorado

Exact Date: March 2006 (crime date)

Sentence or Outcome: 67 years and 6 months in prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/gambian-man-first-non-us-national-convicted-torture-sentenced-over-67-years-prison