Laye Sekou Camara, a former rebel commander from Liberia’s civil war, has admitted to committing immigration fraud in the United States by concealing his role in the West African nation’s brutal conflict.
Known as “Dragon Master” and “General K-1,” the 46-year-old pleaded guilty in a federal court in Philadelphia on Thursday, avoiding a trial scheduled to begin the next day.
Camara was accused of lying on immigration forms to obtain a US green card, falsely claiming he had never been part of a rebel group, participated in extrajudicial killings, or recruited child soldiers.
The US Justice Department revealed that Camara had been a high-ranking member of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) during Liberia’s Second Civil War (1999–2003).
Edward Owens, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, stated, “Camara fraudulently claimed that he had not participated in Liberia’s civil war. Camara was a high-ranking member of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel group during Liberia’s Second Civil War.”
“As such, he was involved in committing atrocities, including the massacre of civilians and the recruitment of child soldiers,” he added.
Camara’s rebel group, LURD, fought against the government of then-president Charles Taylor, who himself was later convicted of war crimes.
Liberia’s civil wars, which spanned from 1989 to 2003, resulted in the deaths of approximately 250,000 people and widespread atrocities.
According to the Global Justice and Research Project and Geneva-based NGO Civitas Maxima, victims had been prepared to testify at Camara’s trial about his role in the conflict.
Camara now faces up to 40 years in prison, with sentencing set for May 19.
The case highlights the United States’ commitment to holding individuals accountable for concealing involvement in human rights abuses, even decades later.
