Previous Liberian Rebel Normal Charged With Immigration Fraud | USAO-EDPA

PHILADELPHIA – United States Legal professional Jennifer Arbittier Williams introduced that Laye Sekou Camara, a/k/a “K-1,” a/k/a “Dragon Master,” 43, of Mays Landing, NJ,was arrested and billed by Criminal Complaint and subsequent Indictment on the demand of use of an immigration doc acquired by fraud. 

In 1997, following a civil war and several years of political upheaval, Charles Taylor was elected president of the West African nation of Liberia. In 1999, Liberia’s next civil war started. Mainly, two rebel groups, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), and the Motion for Democracy in Liberia (Design), waged war versus Taylor’s govt. LURD’s mentioned goal was to get rid of Taylor from the presidency of Liberia. Liberia’s 2nd civil war, considerably like its initial, was characterized by brutality, war crimes, and atrocities, several of which have been perpetrated by LURD rebels. Furthermore, in waging its war against Taylor’s government, LURD recruited and used baby soldiers. According to the Indictment, Camara was a LURD standard.

The Indictment alleges that in June 2011, Camara submitted an application for a non-immigrant visa to the United States. In that application Camara falsely contended, amid other factors, that he: 1) was not a member of a tribe 2) had under no circumstances served in or been a member of a rebel team or insurgent corporation and 3) experienced in no way dedicated, requested, incited, assisted or otherwise participated in political killings or other acts of violence. Camara’s application was permitted and he was issued a non-immigrant visa which he used to enter the United States.

The Indictment additional alleges that in June 2012, United States immigration authorities reviewed an application that Camara submitted for a United States immigrant visa. In this software, Camara falsely contended, among other issues, that he: 1) was not trying to get and had not sought a visa, entry into the United States, or any immigration reward by fraud or misrepresentation and 2) experienced in no way engaged in the recruitment or use of kid soldiers. Camara’s application was accredited and he was issued an immigrant visa which he applied to enter the United States. On his coming into and remaining admitted to the United States pursuant to his immigrant visa, Camara became entitled to, and did, obtain a Environmentally friendly Card, evidencing his authorized long-lasting residence in the United States.

Finally, as alleged in the Indictment, in June 2017, in trying to find a Pennsylvania condition identification card, Camara introduced his fraudulently obtained Eco-friendly Card to PennDOT officers as proof of his immigration status, that is, his lawful permanent residence in the United States.

“As alleged in the Indictment, this defendant tried to evade accountability for his horrific involvement in Liberia’s brutual civil wars by fraudulently getting U.S. immigration documents,” mentioned U.S. Lawyer Williams. “Due to the really hard do the job and perseverance of our prosecutors and regulation enforcement partners, he can no for a longer period operate and cover from justice.”

“HSI is committed to upholding the regulation, the two within the United States and abroad,” explained William S. Walker, Distinctive Agent in Cost of the Homeland Protection Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia Discipline Business. “The defendant in this scenario, Mr. Camara, is alleged to have served as a large-position standard for a rebel team that fought in the Next Liberian Civil War, all the whilst utilizing strategies of unimaginable brutality, like the recruitment of boy or girl troopers. This indictment alleges Mr. Camara then attempted to shield his violent previous when he arrived to the United States by failing to disclose his affiliation with the rebel team.  Investigations like this 1 are a main priority of the No Risk-free Haven mission, and HSI will proceed to get the job done tirelessly to look into these who try to evade justice for crimes they fully commited overseas. We will not permit the United States to be a protected haven for people attempting to disguise from their previous.”

If convicted, the defendant faces a greatest achievable sentence of 10 several years in jail and a $250,000 wonderful.

The scenario was investigated by Homeland Stability Investigations with help from the Pennsylvania Legal professional General’s Business, the Diplomatic Security Services (DSS) at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Lawyer Linwood C. Wright, Jr. and Kelly M. Harrell, with support from Demo Legal professional Chelsea Schinnour and Historian Christopher Hayden from the United States Office of Justice, Prison Division’s, Human Rights and Specific Prosecutions Segment.

Associates of the public who have info about overseas nationals suspected of participating in human legal rights abuses or war crimes are urged to get in touch with the HSI idea line at: 1-866-DHS-2423 (1-866-347-2423). Callers may possibly remain nameless.

An indictment, information and facts, or legal grievance is an accusation. A defendant is presumed harmless until and right up until verified responsible.