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Michael Sang Correa, 46, was sentenced today to 810 months in prison by Senior Judge Christine M. Arguello for the District of Colorado after being convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture. Correa's actions included burning victims' flesh with molten plastic and subjecting them to repeated, vicious beatings over the course of weeks using a variety of weapons.

"Today, Michael Correa has finally been held accountable for the brutal violence he inflicted on others," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. "The United States will not be a safe haven for individuals who seek to conceal their egregious human rights violations. We are proud to have worked with our law enforcement partners to secure this sentence, and we thank the brave victims whose testimony helped ensure that justice is done."

"The victims of these crimes carried the weight of unimaginable suffering for years, not knowing whether they would ever see their torturer held accountable," said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado. "Today's sentence delivers a measure of justice for them and affirms that the United States stands firmly with those whose human rights have been violated. This prosecution and sentence should serve as a deterrent for criminals who think they might escape accountability by coming to Colorado."

"Mr. Correa's crimes were barbaric and uncivilized; they have no place in the modern world," said Special Agent in Charge Steve Cagen of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Denver. "I hope this sentence can bring some kind of closure for his victims and their families. A standard was set with this trial and sentencing, Homeland Security Investigations will hunt down and bring to justice those that commit these horrific crimes."

Evidence presented at trial showed that Correa served in an armed unit known as the "Junglers," which reported to The Gambia's former President, Yahya Jammeh. The jury found that, as a Jungler, Correa conspired with others to commit torture and personally tortured five victims, who were targeted based on suspicions that they had plotted against Jammeh. In today's proceedings, several victims described the lasting physical and psychological harm that they have suffered as a result of Correa's actions.

In March 2006, shortly after a failed coup attempt, Correa and his co-conspirators transported the victims to Mile 2 Prison, the main prison in The Gambia. Over the following weeks, the victims endured severe abuse, including beatings, stabbings, burnings, and electrocutions. One victim testified that his thigh was burned with molten plastic and that he was suspended in a bag and dropped to the ground. Another victim described being suffocated with a plastic bag over his head and having the barrel of a pistol placed in his mouth. Other victims testified to being electrocuted, beaten while hung upside down, struck in the head with a hammer or pistol, and burned with cigarettes. Testimony at trial established Correa played a central role in carrying out these acts of torture.

Ten years after these crimes, Correa obtained a visa and entered the United States in December 2016. He evaded apprehension until 2019, when ICE arrested him and placed him in removal proceedings. He was charged with torture in 2020. This is the first conviction of a non-U.S. national on federal torture charges.

The HSI Denver Field Office investigated the case, 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. The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) significantly supported the case. Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government's efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman and Chief of the Cybercrime and National Security Section Laura Cramer-Babycz for the District of Colorado and Acting Principal Deputy Chief Christina Giffin and Trial Attorney Marie Zisa of the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) prosecuted the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden.

Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email HRV.ICE@ice.dhs.gov or complete its online tip form at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.

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Gambian Man, First Non-U.S. National Convicted of Torture, Sentenced to More Than 67 Years in Prison

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Michael Sang Correa, 46, was sentenced today to 810 months in prison by Senior Judge Christine M. Arguello for the District of Colorado after being convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture.

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North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation

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Maurice Hopkins, 32, of Mt. Holly, North Carolina, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez for the Western District of North Carolina today and pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation for threatening eight individuals with force because of their race, color, religion, and national origin.

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Who was Minneapolis Catholic school shooter Robin Westman?

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Everything we know about the Minneapolis school shooting

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Judge says Trump administration’s use of US military in Los Angeles violated federal law | CNN Politics

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A federal judge ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal law by using the US military to help carry out law enforcement activities in and around Los Angeles this summer.

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Eight MS-13 Gang Members Plead Guilty to Multi-Year Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Murders and Witness Tampering

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Eight members of the violent transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a multi-year racketeering conspiracy that included multiple murders and acts of witness tampering. The defendants—identified as Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia, 28, aka “Mejia,” Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, 29, aka “Discreto,”

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Hancock County Coroner Dontrelle Andrews said an inmate, who was serving a life sentence for murder out of Clayton County, was stabbed and killed Tuesday morning.

HANCOCK COUNTY, Ga. - A Hancock State Prison inmate is dead after a stabbing on Tuesday, Hancock County Coroner Dontrelle Andrews confirmed.

Andrews said that Andre Weems, 36, was stabbed around 10:30 a.m. during a fight at the Hancock State Prison. He added that he died from his wounds at the scene.

The coroner said said that the stabbing is being investigated by the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), and that his body is going to the GBI crime lab in Atlanta for an autopsy.

Weems, according to the department of corrections, was serving a life sentence for murder out of Clayton County. Back in October 2008, he committed two charges of aggravated assault and murder. He was sentenced in 2011.

Andrews said that this is at least the fifth homicide in Hancock State Prison this year. He said that there were at least two other deaths that were not classified as homicides. Andrews said he's working on confirming that number.

The most recent death we've reported on was on June 18. Corey Jose July, 34, was also stabbed multiple times. He was killed a few days before his birthday.

We've reached out to the GDC for further information, but have not gotten an immediate reply.

MORE THAN A NUMBER

More Than A Number is a Poynter-Stand Together award-winning project by Justin Baxley designed to help families of loved ones impacted by tragedy and trauma interact with journalists in a less intrusive way. Families are able to fill out a form about their family and also receive an in-depth guide on the next steps.

More Than A Number officially launched in August with a streaming special available on 13WMAZ+ for on-demand streaming. For any questions or concerns about More Than A Number, contact us here at the following email: MoreThanANumber@13wmaz.com

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Hancock State Prison inmate dead after stabbing, coroner says

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Hancock County Coroner Dontrelle Andrews said an inmate, who was serving a life sentence for murder out of Clayton County, was stabbed and killed Tuesday morning.

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Central Georgia's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports, and more | Macon, Georgia | 13WMAZ.com

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Attorney General Bondi, HHS Secretary Kennedy Announce Seizure of Illicit Vaping Products

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Justice Department Sues Uber for Denying Rides to Passengers with Service Dogs, Wheelchairs

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The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. for discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including those who use service animals and mobility devices such as stowable wheelchairs. Uber is the largest provider of ride-hailing services in the United States. The lawsuit seeks $125 million for individuals who have been subject to discrimination

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UK police test first electronic ankle tag on two shoplifters

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UK police test first electronic ankle tag on two shoplifters

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UK police test first electronic ankle tag on two shoplifters

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The Reentry Success Act — Are We Staying the Course?

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The Reentry Success Act — Are We Staying the Course?

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The Reentry Success Act — Are We Staying the Course? - Knox TN Today

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Tennessee’s criminal justice reform conversation has often been loud on punishment but quieter on what actually works to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. One of the most consequential policies in recent years, the Reentry Success Act (RSA) of 2021, shifted the state’s approach to parole, supervision, and reintegration with measurable structural change (Tennessee General […]

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How I feel about this Hancock State Prison, they need to take all the melter bed's out of the prison because it seen like every time you turn around this all you hear on the new a somebody family member is stab to death because of game member's I understand what they did to get there but most people be want to see they family member come home I feel like the president need to just wake up in see this like its happen to many time try to help them get the beds out there put more game units in there make the correction place be more safe same way they do the jail I feel like it should be like that it's one in there doing like 3 years over drugs in there in isn't making it home at all because they be in there fighting with knife what they make bullying people this got to stop to much just to much.

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Colombian Transnational Robbery Crew Member Pleads Guilty to $5 Million Dollar Organized Jewelry Theft Ring in Miami

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Colombian Transnational Robbery Crew Member Pleads Guilty to $5 Million Dollar Organized Jewelry Theft Ring in Miami

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Department of Justice | Homepage | United States Department of Justice

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Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ’s mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

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Final Two Gang Members Convicted by Jury in Brazen Racketeering Murder

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Final Two Gang Members Convicted by Jury in Brazen Racketeering Murder

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Department of Justice | Homepage | United States Department of Justice

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Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ’s mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

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Ring of Thieves Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking, Bank Fraud and Mail Theft Conspiracy in Miami for $1.7M in Stolen Checks and Mail Scheme

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Ring of Thieves Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking, Bank Fraud and Mail Theft Conspiracy in Miami for $1.7M in Stolen Checks and Mail Scheme

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Department of Justice | Homepage | United States Department of Justice

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Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ’s mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

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Leader of Jacksonville Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced for Role in Drive-By Shooting On I-95

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Leader of Jacksonville Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced for Role in Drive-By Shooting On I-95

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Department of Justice | Homepage | United States Department of Justice

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Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ’s mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

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Fully Blooded Felon Gang Members Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms

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Fully Blooded Felon Gang Members Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms

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Department of Justice | Homepage | United States Department of Justice

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Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ’s mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

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I think this article is concerning because it shows how dangerous prison environments can be, even for inmates who are already serving life sentences. Violence inside correctional facilities raises serious questions about safety, supervision, and security measures. No one should lose their life to preventable violence while in custody. It also makes me think about the need for better conflict resolution, stronger protection policies, and improved monitoring to reduce incidents like this. Authorities should take these situations seriously and work to prevent future tragedies for the safety of both inmates and staff.

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Former Maui Police Officer Sentenced to 65 Months for Unjustified Tasing

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Carlos Frate, 41, a former Maui Police Department officer, was sentenced today to 65 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for using unreasonable force against an arrestee. Frate previously pled guilty in August 2025 to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

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Justice Department Notifies California and Maine of Investigations into Whether Housing Biological Men in Women’s Prisons Violates Constitution

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Today, the United States Department of Justice notified California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Maine Gov. Janet Mills of the initiation of federal investigations into California’s and Maine’s practice of housing men in women’s prisons.