Denver, CO – In a landmark decision, Michael Sang Correa, a 46-year-old man from Gambia and a former member of a notorious paramilitary group, has been sentenced to 810 months (67.5 years) in federal prison for his involvement in a series of horrific torture incidents that took place in The Gambia nearly twenty years ago.
The sentence was delivered by Senior Judge Christine M. Arguello in the District of Colorado, following Correa’s conviction earlier this year on one count of conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture. This is a historic moment as it marks the first instance of a non-U.S. citizen being convicted under U.S. federal torture laws.
A Legacy of Brutality
During the trial, evidence showed that Correa was part of “The Junglers,” an elite military unit that reported directly to the former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. In March 2006, after a failed coup attempt, Correa and his accomplices arrested several individuals suspected of conspiring against the regime and took them to Mile 2 Prison, the main detention center in The Gambia.
Over several weeks, these detainees endured brutal and systematic torture, which included:
- Beatings with hammers, pistols, and cables
- Burns from molten plastic and cigarettes
- Electrocution
- Suspension in bags and suffocation with plastic bags
- Threats at gunpoint
One victim recounted being burned so severely with molten plastic on his thigh that the scars are still visible today. Another victim described being hung upside down and beaten, while a third shared the harrowing experience of nearly suffocating with a plastic bag over his head.
“These were not isolated incidents,” prosecutors emphasized. “They were part of a coordinated campaign to instill fear and crush opposition to the regime.”
Justice Across Borders
Correa arrived in the United States in December 2016 after securing a visa and managed to evade authorities for a number of years. He was ultimately apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2019 and faced federal torture charges in 2020.
“Today, Michael Correa has finally been held accountable for the brutal violence he inflicted on others,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti. “This sentence sends a clear message: The United States will not be a safe haven for human rights violators.”
U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado added, “The victims carried the weight of unimaginable suffering for years. Today’s sentence 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 HSI Denver Special Agent in Charge Steve Cagen. “We hope this sentence brings a measure of closure to the victims and their families.”
