The defendants are charged with conspiracy to violate the Neutrality Act by making an expedition against a friendly nation from the United States and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence. They are alleged to have participated in a December 30, 2014, unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government of the West African nation.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Andrew M. Luger and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard T. Thornton of the Minneapolis Division jointly announced the criminal complaint charging Cherno Njie, 57, and Papa Faal, 46.

Both men are in custody and appeared in court January 5: Njie in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore and Faal in the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

The Neutrality Act of 1794 makes it illegal for an American to wage war against any country at peace with the United States. The law has been amended several times and remains in force.

“These defendants stand accused of conspiring to carry out the violent overthrow of a foreign government, in violation of U.S. law,” said Attorney General Holder. “The United States strongly condemns such conspiracies. With these serious charges, the United States is committed to holding them fully responsible for their actions.”

“U.S. law enforcement action in this matter highlights the importance we place on preventing our citizens from taking part in violence of this nature overseas and our commitment to addressing such issues through the criminal justice system in accordance with our laws,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement released January 5. “The United States reiterates our strong condemnation of any attempt to seize power through extra-constitutional means. We call on the government of The Gambia to respect human rights and the rule of law in its investigation of the attempted coup.”

According to the criminal complaint and documents filed in court, Njie and Faal separately traveled from the United States to The Gambia in December for the purpose of overthrowing the Gambian government.

Faal is a dual U.S./Gambian citizen and a Minnesota resident. Njie is a U.S. citizen of Gambian descent who resides in Texas. Njie and his co-conspirators expected that Njie, who allegedly financed and led the conspiracy, would serve as the interim leader of The Gambia if the coup attempt succeeded, court documents say.

According to the criminal complaint, approximately 10 to 12 members of the conspiracy entered The Gambia to carry out the coup attempt, with the expectation others in the country would join them.

Faal and other co-conspirators are accused of purchasing multiple firearms, including M4 semi-automatic rifles, and shipping them to The Gambia between August and October 2014 for use in the coup attempt. Members of the conspiracy also acquired night-vision goggles, body armor, ammunition, black military-style uniform pants, boots and other personal equipment, the complaint alleges.

On December 30, a number of the co-conspirators, including Faal, met in the woods near the State House in Banjul, which is the home of the Gambian president, and split into two assault teams. Njie was not present at that meeting, instead waiting in a safe place until the assault teams took control of the facility.

After one of the assault teams approached the State House and fired a shot into the air, the team took heavy fire from the guard towers and many team members were wounded or killed. Faal fled the scene and returned to the United States. Separately, Njie also returned to the United States.

The U.S. investigation is being led by the FBI and its partners on Joint Terrorism Task Forces in multiple field offices.      Add Comments>>