Three Americans Charged with Coup Conspiracy After Transfer from Congo to US

Three Americans Charged with Coup Conspiracy After Transfer from Congo to US

A criminal complaint unsealed in the District of Utah has revealed charges against four U.S. citizens for allegedly conspiring to unlawfully execute a coup d’état in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The details paint a dramatic picture of an armed insurrection aimed at top government officials.

The Accused Individuals

The individuals charged in the complaint are Marcel Malanga, 22, Tyler Thompson, 22, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, and Joseph Peter Moesser, 67. They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to provide material support and resources, conspiracy to employ weapons of mass destruction, and conspiracy to bomb governmental facilities.

Details of the Alleged Coup Attempt

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the quartet is accused of plotting to assassinate DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Vital Kamerhe. This armed attack reportedly targeted both the Palais de la Nation—Tshisekedi’s official residence and workplace—and Kamerhe’s private home in Kinshasa.

At least six individuals lost their lives during this violence. Among the deceased were two police officers who protected Kamerhe’s residence, alongside one civilian.

The Objectives of the Operation

The Department of Justice detailed that the operation’s aim was not only to kill the President and Deputy Prime Minister but also to establish a new regime, dubbed New Zaire. They intended to install Christian Malanga as its president; he tragically died during the coup attempt.

Marcel Malanga reportedly claimed the title of Chief of Staff for the fictitious Zaire army, while Zalman-Polun served as Christian Malanga’s chief of staff. Meanwhile, Moesser allegedly functioned as the explosives expert, and Thompson operated as a soldier skilled in drone operations.

Allegations of Material Support

The unsealed complaint indicates that the group conspired to furnish material support. This included various services and resources, encompassing training, expert advice, communication equipment, weapons, explosives, and personnel aimed at aiding a rebel army determined to topple the DRC government.

Plans for Weapons of Mass Destruction

The Justice Department has also accused the men of conspiring to acquire and deploy weapons of mass destruction during this coup attempt. Reports suggest they intended to utilize bombs capable of being launched at their targets through drones, thereby increasing the lethality of their assault on government officials and public spaces.

In a disturbing twist, they even planned to attach a flamethrower device to a drone, intending to use it as an incendiary weapon capable of igniting individuals.

Legal Ramifications

Earlier this month, the DRC’s president commuted the death sentences of Malanga, Thompson, and Zalman-Polun, converting those sentences to life imprisonment. Should the accused be convicted, they face severe penalties, including concentrations of up to 15 years for each count of conspiring to provide material support and resources. Additionally, they could receive life sentences for conspiracy charges related to weapons of mass destruction, bombing facilities, and murder or kidnapping.

If found guilty, Malanga and Thompson will also face potential sentences of up to 15 years for each count of illegally transporting firearms from the United States to support a felony.

Expected Court Appearances

Malanga, Thompson, and Zalman-Polun are anticipated to make their first court appearances at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. Meanwhile, Moesser is set to appear on April 10 at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Following their initial hearings in New York, they will likely continue legal proceedings in Salt Lake City, emphasizing the coordinated approach of the U.S. legal system in dealing with this significant case.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation is led by the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office, with critical assistance from the FBI’s New York Field Office and the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office based in Nairobi, Kenya. This collaboration highlights the international implications of the case.

As this situation unfolds, it underscores both the serious nature of the allegations and the legal complexities involved in addressing such a high-stakes international incident.

Report contributed by Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman.