A federal court has imposed a life imprisonment sentence on Fode Sitafa Mara, a 41-year-old American citizen from Maryland, for sexually exploiting two adolescent girls during his tenure at the U.S. embassy in Burkina Faso. The sentencing on Wednesday followed his conviction in October 2025 after a two-week trial in Maryland’s federal District Court.
The jury delivered guilty verdicts on four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, alongside charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and attempted obstruction of justice. These crimes occurred throughout 2022 and 2023 in Ouagadougou, where Mara was stationed as a U.S. embassy employee.
Evidence presented during proceedings revealed that the assaults took place within a U.S. government-leased diplomatic residence. This property’s official status placed it under American jurisdiction, enabling prosecution within the United States judicial system. The victims, aged 13 and 15 at the onset of the abuse, came from economically disadvantaged circumstances. Prosecutors detailed how Mara systematically exploited their vulnerability over approximately twelve months.
According to the Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs, Mara manipulated the girls by leveraging their mother’s critical health condition, demanding sexual favors in exchange for assistance. He supplied cellular devices to summon the victims during his wife’s work absences. Additionally, communications evidence showed Mara sent sexually explicit messages to one victim and attempted to corrupt a housekeeper into misleading investigators.
This prosecution forms part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative established in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation globally. The investigation received collaborative support from Burkinabé authorities.
Assistant Attorney General A Tysen Duva characterized Mara’s actions as ‘reprehensible,’ emphasizing that while no sentence could reverse the trauma inflicted, the outcome signals that child abusers—whether operating domestically or internationally—will face severe consequences within America’s justice framework. U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes for the District of Maryland reinforced this stance, stating unequivocally that predators targeting children ‘will pay a hefty price.’
Post-sentencing statements from U.S. officials affirmed that the life term reflects both the gravity of the offenses and the government’s dedication to prosecuting child sexual abuse cases involving American citizens overseas.