By Precious D. Freeman
The Government of Liberia has initiated legal proceedings to extradite Othello Bruce, a Liberian national, to the United States to face multiple charges of aggravated statutory rape involving his biological daughter.
According to a formal request submitted by the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Bruce is accused of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old daughter while living in Worcester, Massachusetts.
A U.S. grand jury in Worcester County indicted Bruce in January 2013 on 12 counts, including four charges of aggravated statutory rape and four counts of indecent assault and battery. The alleged abuse occurred between December 2010 and March 2012.
In response to the U.S. request, Liberia’s Ministry of Justice has filed an application before the Monrovia City Court seeking Bruce’s extradition under the terms of a 1937 extradition treaty between the two countries.
Bruce, born on April 24, 1964, was served a writ and appeared in court on Monday, April 14, marking the beginning of what could be a landmark extradition case.
The Liberian government contends that the charges against Bruce meet the legal criteria for extradition, as they are recognized criminal offenses under both Liberian and U.S. law and are explicitly covered by the treaty.
Court documents indicate that Bruce fled the United States on September 26, 2012, and arrived in Monrovia the following day. Though he was scheduled to return to the U.S. on October 11, 2012, he never boarded his flight and has remained in Liberia since.
The U.S. government has submitted a full package of supporting documents, including the indictments, a warrant for Bruce’s arrest, and an INTERPOL Red Notice.
Liberian authorities are requesting the court to determine Bruce’s extraditability and, if affirmed, authorize his transfer to the United States for prosecution.
The proceedings are being held before Magistrate Imin Barco at the Monrovia City Court. The case has drawn public attention due to the gravity of the allegations and the long delay since the alleged offenses occurred.
The court is expected to set a schedule for hearings in the coming days.
