GREENBELT, Md. — A man is facing charges in Maryland for the alleged sexual abuse of two children that is said to have occurred while he was working at a U.S. Embassy overseas.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Fode Sitafa Mara, 39, with five counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, one count of coercion and enticement, one count of obstruction of justice. The charges stem from the sexual abuse of two children that occurred in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
The indictment was returned on June 6 and the initial appearance was held on June 10 in Greenbelt.
According to the seven-count indictment, Mara, who holds diplomatic status and was employed at the U.S. Embassy-Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, befriended a family that included two children, ages 13 and 15. Over a period of time, it is alleged Mara groomed, coerced, and sexually abused the children. The allegations of sexual abuse and rape are said to have occurred at Mara's embassy assigned-home, over the course of a year.
If convicted, Mara faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life in federal prison.
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