Octogenarian Liberian sentenced in U.S., loses citizenship over molestation of four-year-old girl

A United States federal court has sentenced Liberian national Cyril Domaquik Clemens and revoked his American citizenship after discovering he concealed years of child sexual abuse during naturalisation.

According to Peoples Gazette, Clemens, 72, falsely denied committing sexual offences when applying for citizenship, which he obtained in February 2021.

Prosecutors said he sexually abused a girl between November 2011 and March 2022, beginning when she was four years old.

He pleaded guilty in April 2023 to three counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Federal Judge Louise Flanagan sentenced him to time served, ranging from 16 to 29 months, and ordered his registration as a sex offender.

His citizenship was revoked, and he must leave the country at his own expense.

“That was a lie,” prosecutors said about his naturalisation declarations.

“Clemens committed these crimes before he lied to CIS but was not arrested until after he naturalized,” the attorney’s office stated.

The case formed part of Operation False Haven, targeting immigration fraud.