PHILADELPHIA – United States Lawyer Jacqueline C. Romero introduced the unsealing of an Indictment charging Moses Slanger Wright, 69, of Philadelphia, PA, with fraudulently trying to acquire citizenship, fraud in immigration paperwork, false statements in relation to naturalization, and perjury in connection along with his fraudulent try and acquire U.S. citizenship.
Throughout Liberia’s First Civil Conflict, the Armed Forces of Liberia was locked in a brutal marketing campaign for management of the nation with varied insurgent teams, most notably Charles Taylor’s Nationwide Patriotic Entrance of Liberia. The Indictment alleges that the defendant, when making use of for U.S. citizenship, was not truthful about his actions throughout Liberia’s First Civil Conflict whereas he was a member, and in the end the commanding basic of, the Armed Forces of Liberia. In accordance with the Indictment, Wright both personally dedicated, or ordered Armed Forces of Liberia troops underneath his command to commit quite a few atrocities, together with however not restricted to, the next record of acts: 1) persecution of civilian noncombatant Gio and Mano tribesmen; 2) homicide of civilian noncombatants; 3) assault of civilian noncombatants; 4) false arrest of civilian noncombatants; and 5) false imprisonment of civilian noncombatants.
In Could 2013, Wright, who had been granted asylum within the U.S. in 2000 and lawful everlasting residency in 2008, utilized for U.S. citizenship. In making use of for each asylum and lawful everlasting residency, the defendant lied about his conduct throughout Liberia’s First Civil Conflict. Throughout his August 2016, in-person citizenship (naturalization) interview, Wright falsely swore and falsely licensed underneath penalty of perjury that “[his citizenship] utility, and the proof submitted with it, [were] all true and proper.” His utility included his false denials that he had: 1) “ever persecuted (both straight or not directly) any individual due to race, faith, nationwide origin, membership in a selected social group, or political opinion;” 2) “ever dedicated against the law or offense for which [he was] not arrested;” and three) “ever given false or deceptive info to any U.S. Authorities official whereas making use of for any immigration profit or to forestall deportation, exclusion, or removing.” Moreover, whereas underneath oath, the defendant falsely answered comparable queries posed by the inspecting USCIS officer.
“Wright sought to flee to the US and begin anew, the place he lied about his appalling wartime conduct on federal immigration kinds and to the faces of U.S. officers. The US won’t be a secure haven for human rights violators and warfare criminals,” stated United States Lawyer Romero.
“HSI is dedicated to upholding the legislation, each inside the US and overseas. Moses Wright, the previous commanding basic for the Armed Forces of Liberia, is alleged to have misrepresented his participation within the First Liberian Civil Conflict when he got here to the US, hiding his management of forces that dedicated — along with his participation and underneath his command — persecutory atrocities towards harmless civilians,” stated William S. Walker, Particular Agent in Cost for Homeland Safety Investigations, Philadelphia. “HSI continues steadfastly in our dedication to make sure the US won’t ever be a secure haven for many who search to flee from atrocities they commit overseas.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a most doable sentence of 165 years in jail and a $7,000,000 effective.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia Subject Workplace with help from HSI’s Human Rights Violators and Conflict Crimes Heart in Washington D.C., the Pennsylvania Lawyer Common’s Workplace, and the US Embassy in Liberia, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Lawyer Linwood C. Wright, Jr. and First Assistant United States Lawyer Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr.
An indictment, info, or felony grievance is an accusation. A defendant is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.
