Former HSI Agent Testifies That Western Union Transactions Led to Correa’s Arrest

Michael Sang Correa, Alleged Jungler

By Buba Gagigo

Retired Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent Barton Garrison testified on Thursday in the ongoing trial of Michael Sang Correa, shedding light on the financial trail that led to Correa’s arrest. Correa is accused of being a member of the notorious “Junglers” death squad during the regime of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.

Appearing before Judge Christine M. Arguello in Denver, Garrison detailed how financial transactions through Western Union in 2019—sent by Correa to his family in The Gambia—played a key role in locating and apprehending him.

During the hearing, federal prosecutors presented a series of audio recordings from previous interviews with Correa, labeled exhibits 73A—1 through 73G—1. In one of the recordings, Correa described himself as a “private soldier” under former President Jammeh, stating: “I had no rank. I was a private soldier, and when I was ordered to arrest somebody, I did it.”

Correa also admitted to being part of the Junglers, a paramilitary group widely believed to be responsible for torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances throughout Jammeh’s 22-year rule. However, he denied any direct involvement in torture, saying, “Did I witness my colleagues torturing people? Yes, I did. But did I take part? No, I didn’t.”

The court heard inconsistencies in Correa’s accounts. In earlier interviews, he claimed he had never witnessed torture, a statement later contradicted by his admission of observing colleagues commit such acts. In another recording, he apologized, only to later deny any personal involvement in torture. Correa also claimed the term “Jungler” was derived from the fact that the group trained in the jungle.

He named fellow Junglers Sanna Manjang and Michael Jatta as those who beat the late Captain Pierre Mendy, while maintaining that he did not participate.

Prosecutors also introduced images of Correa’s diplomatic passport, which included U.S. visas that were later marked as “canceled.” The passport, they argued, further demonstrates Correa’s close ties to the Jammeh regime.

Correa faces charges of torture and conspiracy to commit torture under U.S. law. His trial represents a major development in efforts to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses committed during Jammeh’s time in power. International human rights groups continue to advocate for justice for victims of the Junglers, as the trial progresses.