Laye Sekou Camara, widely known as K1, has been sentenced to 57 months—nearly five years—in a U.S. prison for immigration fraud after concealing his role in Liberia’s civil war.
Camara admitted to hiding his ties to the rebel group LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy), which was known for atrocities, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
The judge clarified that the U.S. court could not prosecute Camara for war crimes, only for lying on his immigration documents. Once his prison term ends, Camara is expected to be deported to Liberia, where he may face trial if a War Crimes Court is established.
Former Liberian rebel commander Laye Sekou Camara, known as “K1,” was sentenced to 57 months (just under five years) in a U.S. prison on September 11, 2025, for fraudulently obtaining immigration status. While Camara was not charged with war crimes directly, his conviction stemmed from concealing his involvement in the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) during the country’s civil wars.
The defendant: Laye Sekou Camara, 46, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, was formerly a general in the LURD rebel faction. During the Liberian civil wars (1999–2003), he was known by the noms de guerre “K1” and “Dragon Master”.
In January 2025, Camara pleaded guilty to four counts of immigration fraud. He admitted to lying on his U.S. visa and green card applications by claiming he was not a member of a rebel group and had never participated in politically motivated violence.
The charges vs. allegations: Although the conviction was for immigration fraud, the case was built on Camara’s alleged role in atrocities during the civil war, which was detailed in a pre-sentencing hearing. In January 2025, Liberian victims traveled to Philadelphia to provide testimony, which was considered by the judge during sentencing.
The sentence:
Camara was sentenced to 57 months in prison, which his defense team described as a positive outcome given a potential maximum sentence of 40 years. After completing his sentence, Camara will likely be deported to Liberia.
Significance of the verdict:
The prosecution, a collaboration between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Justice, and human rights organizations, marks another instance of U.S. authorities holding alleged war criminals accountable for immigration-related offenses.
Reactions to the sentencing
Human rights groups like Civitas Maxima hailed the sentence as a step toward justice, noting that victims’ testimony was crucial to the outcome. However, some victims were disappointed that Camara received a shorter sentence than the maximum possible term.
Camara’s lawyer presented the sentence as a positive result for his client and indicated they would consider an appeal.
The case provides some accountability in a country where war criminals have largely enjoyed impunity. The prosecution of figures like Camara, who could not be tried in Liberia, may support efforts to establish a dedicated war crimes court in the country
