Charles Emmanuel Relief Fund
My name is Yolanda Yassazoe Emmanuel. I am the mother of who many call "Chucky Taylor", whom I call "Charlie". For years now, I have urged my son to bring his plight to the world and share the current injustice he has attempted to fight all by himself for over 15 years. Being an introvert and experiencing years of injustice regarding our legal system, denied him of the perspective I hoped he would see for so long.
Only recently, he re-considered my advice and I am truly grateful and hopeful. Clearly he has come to realize that no man is an island. I now have the ability and full cooperation from my son to be able to discuss and seek assistance on his behalf to aid on his road to freedom. Previously, he urged me not to speak to the media or attend his trial. I reluctantly agreed to his wishes. Honestly, I wish he would have agreed sooner but nonetheless, here we are, with my son in prison, 15 years into an illegal sentence. My son is not a man void of mistakes. My son could never be coined as perfect or without fault as no-one can. He is however, against all odds in an environment, a stellar human being serving an illegal life sentence. Charlie was raised with deep West Indian values by myself and my former husband, Roy Belfast (whose name Charlie and I officially changed his name to as a child) Charlie has deep reverence and respect for his step dad who who helped raise him since he was 9 yrs old.
I can remember like it just happened yesterday the day of Charlies sentencing. I can remember prior to sentencing, I wrote the judge begging and pleading for her not to take my son's life. I do not wish this experience an any mother. She not only ignored my plea, she gave him an overly harsh sentence. To know that he was not guilty of the alleged crimes created the agony and distraught-ness in my heart to this day. After the sentencing, I was so distraught I had to be held out of the court room. I can recall, walking to my vehicle, never shedding the amount of tears that I wept that day. I pray that no mother ever imagine seeing their son in such an unfortunate series of events. Ennobled by a false sense of righteousness, veiled with prejudice, she boot strapped my son to an un just life sentence. How many others has she done this to with no accountability?
Through the years I've been eager to push, shed light and more importantly raise the alarming awareness needed in this situation. My son has been diligent and while I was reluctant to agree to his wishes in the past, he finally sees the need now. The time is NOW. Please understand through the years, my son has patiently and resourcefully attempted to finds ways within the law to get the government to reveal what was done was illegal and hold themselves accountable for the injustice. Taking destiny into his own hands, Charlie diligently learned the law, as no one would help him no matter how compelling his legal analysis has been. Im so proud of the man he has evolved into while fighting redemption, spiritual peace and truly discovering self under the harshest circumstances. Many do not know how much despair resides in the Penitentiaries of the United States and the menticide that takes place under the banner of law. He has evolved, educating himself with a genuine desire to pursue deeper levels of learning, found courage morally and ethically, to stand for what he believes is right. I have always told him who gods favors when he seeks his way and light, no man curses. With that said, I ask for any and all donations to aid my son in getting lawyers to file a civil lawsuits due to the deprivation of his civil rights.
I will let my son make his personal plea to the world, which is a break from his silence.Please see his message below
My Request To The World
Peace and respect to all. I would like thank you ahead of time for listening and hopefully supporting my journey to freedom. I was widely known as "Chucky" Taylor, the son of former Liberian President, Charles Taylor. He was the first African leader convicted of war crimes, presently incarcerated in the United Kingdom. I was the first United States citizen in history to be indicted under the torture statue 18 United State Code sub-section 2340A(C) and 2340A. This indictment is based upon a far reaching conspiracy, encompassing a government with known and unknown conspirators with allegations that I aided and or physically participated in torture around the country of Liberia.
From the beginning I was urged by multiple visitors Frank Fountain (former participant in Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone War Crimes Court, & former CIA Counsel) and Professor Madeline Morris of Duke University to cooperate and relay any timely intelligence useful to the American government. This was prior to my indictment and although they never implied such, I got the sense that if I didn’t cooperate, I would be in for a rough ride with the Department of Justice, as it is at their discretion to determine who to prosecute and whom not to prosecute. I simply felt at the time what I knew was of no value to anyone and I was not prepared to lie on anyone to save myself, despite the potential severity of it all, nor was I prepared to be bullied.
I have always maintained my innocence. Despite the odds stacked against me, I chose to go to trial. This decision was not out of stubbornness, but rather the sincere belief that the truth would prevail. I’ve come to learn along with many others, can attest the truth most of the time holds no real relevance in the US Federal Judicial Court system. In too many instances, court rules imposed by bias judges blunt the effects of truth or outright deprive truth completely. Being misled by my US Public Defenders by negligence or by design, coupled with my ignorance at that time of the law, in addition to no support from former President Charles Taylor or family to obtain competent council, the inevitable occurred a guilty verdict on all eight counts. A sentence I have been vehemently been trying to over-turn as a self litigating convicted person.
After deeply committing myself to learning the law, I continued to pursue avenues to litigate my innocence before the court. In 2016 I sought inquiry through the Justice Departments, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) section, for the evidence used to demonstrate I committed an offense against the United States by conspiring to commit torture. (with conspirators who never attested to any existence of a any grand scheme)count one. Information on this indictment can be found in court records. The docket entry is 257, USA v ROY BELFAST JR and the criminal case number 06-20758-CMA., United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, for the Eleventh Circuit.
It is important to note the government had close to three years to investigate before trial. My prosecution was hailed a success. Multiple officials at the Department of Justice press conference post trial, spoke of bringing only a case they believed they could prove.
After a one year investigation by the lawyers at the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida (the same office that prosecuted me, The Freedom of Information Act release FOIA-2016-02166, which consisted of a letter and 186 page release, yielded NO INFORMATION to reveal movant (me) was lawfully convicted (see Exhibit "A").
Based upon my understanding of the law, in 2017, it was clear to me what was released could not be used to support the principle count of conspiracy, as conspiracy requires knowledge, agreement with two or more persons!
I immediately appealed the release to a little known agency called Office of Information Policy responsible for adjudication of all FOIA issues for the Department of Justice. In that appeal movant states:
" The contents released are after indictment date 11/08/2007, see criminal case no. 1:06-cr-20758-CMA, Document 257 on docket sheet, and trial verdict Oct 30th 2008".
Movant goes on to state : " Appeal: The records released are non-responsive to request by petitioner, as the records presented cannot have been evidence used in prior proceedings. The FOIA request FOIA-2016-02166 is directly connected to a substantive due process violation and misconduct by prosecution including but not limited to 18 u.s.c. sub-section 1001.
Petitioner seeks a release of FOIA information & expedited request based upon original request found in FOIA-2016-02166, and notification to investigatory body that handles misconduct by prosecutors as well as notification to the AG's office on the violation of 18 u.s.c. sub-section 4001(a). (see Exhibit "B")" [end of quote].
18 u.s.c. sub-section 4001(a) is known as the citizens non-detention act congress bar to the department of justice to have no one detained (pre-trial, trial) or confined (post-trial, sentencing) absent a act/law enacted by Congress. Essentially what Congress determines what crimes are and not the Executive branch, or Judicial branch of government (i.e.. not prosecutors or judges).
The statute states: 18 u.s.c. 4001(a) states:
This principle count 1, conspiracy to commit is described by the government and court as inextricably intertwined to all the other counts. In other words failure to prove this count is like a car without an engine. In recent proceeding under 28 u.s.c. sub section 2255, Belfast v. United States, civil case no 1:20-20385-CMA, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Eleventh Circuit in docket entry # 37, page 34, the government states: " the torture conspiracy was inextricably intertwined with substantive torture offenses"
The Chief Judge in her final order denying the case states: " As the government notes "[a]ll of the violence relevant to count 3 through 7 [- the valid torture predicate(s)6-].... was also introduced to prove that movant conspired to commit torture (count 1), and it overlapped with the acts explicitly outlined in the indictment in furtherance of the torture conspiracy."(resp.15) alterations added. Put another way, the trial record is clear that movants conspiracy-to- torture and substantive torture offenses rested on the same operative events (see i.d. 15, 18-19;24-25)." END OF QUOTE
In a recent current proceeding Belfast v United States, civil case no. 1:20-20385-CMA, after forcing my appointed counsel to withdraw based upon conflict of interest due to a misconduct complaint filed based upon representation, movant filed the final response under self representation and contested the findings issued by the district court under a certificate of appealability revealing to the court, I am actually innocent of counts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and the court having lost jurisdiction of count one prior to sentencing, which is still pending in the eleventh circuit court of appeals.
A 60(b)(3),(d)(3) was also filed [which is a fraud, and fraud on the court by prosecution] against the persecution as well as a 60(b)(4) [void judgment], showing the court the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.
The FOIA release stood and stands as new evidence, previously unavailable, not newly discovered evidence. In the same above mentioned proceeding , 1:20-cv-20385-CMA I stated the following:
" the new evidence under docket entry #7, FOIA-2016-02166, 186 page release, DOJ-AP-2017-005286, previously unavailable stand as Department of Justice policy shift concerning count one validity. This reversal in policy in relation to count 1 over rides any prior established position by the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida, as this was the office that conducted the one year search, which yielded"no evidence" of a violation of 18 u.s.c. sub-section 2340A(c) [conspiracy to commit torture] according to Congressional Intent and "due Process". The office of Information Policy is binding upon all DOJ litigation. It was a conflict of interest, and "fraud on the court " for Assistant United States Attorney Karen Rochlin to litigate against the valid nature of count 1, when the Department of Justice based it's policy finding in part based upon AUSA Karen Rochlin declarations found in FOIA-2016-02166, 186 page release under FOIA designation number A0091980_4-000000 and A0091980_20-000000, see exhibit "D". Assistant United States Attorney Rochlin operated in "Bad Faith" as she is well aware of docket entry number # 7, Exhibit "D" before submission of government response. The new DOJ policy findings concerning count 1, is the equivalent to prosecutors stating at trial:"they failed to meet their burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt movant violated 18 u.s.c. 2340A(c) [conspiracy to commit torture], and or withdrawal of count one, 18 u.s.c. 2340a(c), from jury deliberations". Had they done so the outcome in this case would have been different." END OF QUOTE.
Even with all of this submitted before the court, the judge still denied the motion on erroneous grounds stating: "no constitutional issues exist", even though everything is independently substantiated from movants litigation, via Department of Justice documents.
In 2018 in a prior habeas proceeding the government states: "While the petition could be liberally read to assert that information recently obtained through FOIA request allegedly shows evidence that petitioner is wrongfully convicted (compl., ECF No.1 at 24), that allegation is not properly brought pursuant to 2241." See Docket Entry # 14, Page 6, Belfast v. Breckon, civil case : 7:18-cv-00453, United Stated District Court, Western District of Virginia, Fourth Circuit. Despite the statement, weight of the Freedom of Information Act, federal courts continue to use procedural grounds to avoid addressing the FOIA which will require a evidentiary hearing and the deposition of prosecutors and agents involved in the case from it's inception. The present case 7:18-cv-00453 is presently before the Supreme Court for consideration. At this point I have exhausted all statutory vehicles under criminal and quasi-criminal context, to obtain my freedom.
At present several areas of the Department of Justice are operating under the full knowledge that my constitutional and civil rights are being violated, yet have taken no corrective measures, even though my continued detention implies tax-payer fraud and violation of multiple Congressional statutes. At present the only avenue available to me is a Civil Rights law suit for the violation of my Statutory and Constitutional Rights. This forms the basis of my appeal for legal donations from the wider community and internet public. A Civil Rights law suit will require a trial based upon the governments actions. To date, they continue to dig in their heels even while knowing they are committing fraud and advancing a illegal detention.
I am appealing to those who know me who know the truth about my conduct in Liberia, those truly independent thinkers who do not take everything for face value, individuals who question the official narrative. I appeal to people who know the countless injustices that take place that can never be proven, those who know how rare it is to unearth evidence from the government that supports ones own innocence revealing the farce that has been perpetrated. Individuals who know the double standard that has been taking place, those fully aware, who know for a fact that U.S. government officials past and present had not been charged even though the U.S. Congressional report revealed to the American public clear instances of torture by U.S. government official during the early part of 911. American citizens who are aware of the unchecked power by prosecutors and agents and the misconduct that seems to be growing more and more in the American Justice system by persons charged with upholding the Constitution.
It is important to note, after the hundreds if not thousands of hours of testimony by Liberian Truth Reconciliation Committee, none of the allegations made in criminal complaint under Docket Entry 257, 1:06-cr-20758 were never corroborated by any villager, former ATU personnel, police, nor any Liberian during the truth and reconciliation process. Not many know that all except two persons had already gained political asylum from the allegations made against me; and the two persons still living in Africa one of them was a political party member of the party in power during the post Taylor regime that was in opposition of Mr... Taylors government. Both of them received up to 5,000 plus united states dollars for testifying under the context of these individuals needing relocating even though there names remained under court seal and heavy restriction by defense team for investigative purposes, this is on top of the fact there faces where never seen as there are no cameras allowed in federal courts rooms. All parties experienced substantial positive economic change in their personnel lives being involved with making allegations while I was the Presidents son and coming to a trial in America testifying against me that violated "Due Process".
The allegations found in the truth and reconciliation report come from organizations who obtained allegations that were never substantiated outside of these persons that sought political asylum in various countries. All had who testified before the committee were given immunity for any involvement during the Liberian civil conflict. The post Taylor regime was filled by Taylor's political rivals. It is under this context that no one from President Taylor's security forces came forward to reveal any war crime based activity concerning myself. My name is not on any war crimes list recommended for prosecution. The only thing the Truth and Reconciliation report describes are economic crimes. I am not devoid of fault but I'm no monster.
That said, my heart goes out to all those who testified against me and all those who endured hardship from the war period! All those who testified against me were given hard choices. I understand. Their only way to sustain their political asylum status was to testify against the person they made allegations against initially. The ultimate tragedy is the that a war or not, thousands flee Africa, becoming economic migrants, because African governments fail to deliver on the promise to their people of economic opportunity. Before man and the creator, I can honestly state, I was not the author of their tragedy, nor was I aware of their suffering at the time.
Despite the strong resemblance, Charles Taylor and I are not the same. His actions can not be attributed to me. Many have a tendency to see me as an extension of my father. Im sickened by that perception. On the contrary, many don’t know we had considerable distance between us prior to his removal as President. I have received no support from Charles Taylor nor has he ever extended his hand to help at any time throughout this process. No deposition or affidavit, as the government listed him as a co-conspirator even though he does not meet "Due Process" requirement. I publicly reject all that he stands for, and support no agenda connected to him. As a matter of principle and duty , I want and will work tirelessly, by the creators grace towards healing the wounds of those who suffered during the war, and permanently contribute to the permanent reconciliation efforts to make Liberia a better stronger society. I reject any participation in Liberia politics. I remain a neutral party passing judgment on one.
I seek the forgiveness of anyone I may have offended, emotionally harmed, or may not have advocated for when I may have been in a position to help. Any negative impact I may have caused on anyone, I truly apologize to you, and will continue to make a conscious effort to address. I ask those who I may have offended to educate me on how to make up for my past actions. To my detractors, educate me on the deeper principles of human rights helping to contribute to society. I am open to contribute to on-going efforts to improve African society. I want to learn and I want to help. I want my voice to be attached to positivity in Africa as a man and not negativity. I yearn to be part of its future and not its past. My rejection of Charles Taylor is an exercise of courage for the last sixteen years. This stance has caused many of my family to turn their backs on me because of my vocal opposition to him.
I continue to seek, learn and understand more whilst behind these prison walls. Throughout this experience, I clung to redemption, self correction and have a deep desire to live for a cause greater than myself. I now understand the gravity and destruction of self hate, a condition all too prevalent among African people. Africa's history is inspiring and troubling. I go further rejecting the Taylor name. I now go by the name GOMAAE that reflects my deeper cultural appreciation for Africa that I have now. I am well aware actions must bring effect to words and it is this reason why I seek the legal donations to overturn this unlawful conviction. The question begs why am I the only person charged a man of color ? I cannot speculate but I will say that no innocent person should be allowed to languish in prison regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or religion.
It is important to note Alice Fisher, former Assistant Attorney General who helped march this case for illegal approval (contrary to Department of Justice Manual, Criminal Resource Manual #20, concerning the standard needed to bring forth a torture prosecution) is part of the legal team who helped create the legal standard. And under pinnings for the U.S torture program, gave legal justification for U.S. government personnel to torture and murder suspected terrorists in their custody; people who where never brought before a formal court allowing them standards under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or standards under the United States Constitution. Additionally, another important member of the legal torture approval team alumni is Alexander Acosta, former senior official, who was later demoted to the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida after the "torture memo" debacle. This individual while in office provided Epstein the child molester, pedophile, sex trafficker a sweet heart deal that permitted him to continue molesting and trafficking young women after his slap on the wrist, all the while knowingly advancing a illegal prosecution related to the first torture case of a U.S. citizen that did not meet the international or domestic standard for such.
To me this proof a small few used this case to increase the stature of their standing and deflect criticism that was taking place at the time based upon actions that pre-dated my prosecution. My case was used as another soft power foreign policy tool to advance a U.S. agenda in Liberia, one that was ultimately noble, unfortunately an opportunity that was squandered by Charles Taylor's opponent who assumed office after him.
Currently, the only avenues truly available to me, involve two highly complex lawsuits concerning the deprivation of my Civil Rights. This will require funding for the legal process. To truly believe that things happen for a higher reason. I still continue to look for new lessons this experience has to offer. This turbulent journey has built character, discipline and fostered my passion for learning. It is for all these above reasons, the call for support and donations are being made. To all who reject illegal prosecution, prosecutorial misconduct, bias judges, to all people who support legal redress, further stand for proof of evidence to support convictions, everyone that seek to see the letter of the law filed according to legislation, I call on your support.
I appeal to all the elders in Africa and those from Africa who live aboard, those in America, the African-American community, Afro-Caribbean community and in general all peoples in the diaspora, people of marginalized communities regardless of race, the privileged, all those who have the means to help or spread the word on the present plight to have the wisdom to deeply sense the truth in these words. I seek all the support on where it may be to aid me in this problem to afford me the opportunity to return back to society to make positive contributions to my fellow human beings.
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In a 2007 statement to a journalist who wrote an article and would go on to write an inaccurate account of my life, and author the Rolling Stones Article on my illegal prosecution titled " American Warlord ". It stated the following: " Innocence is not my dilemma, It is how do I prove my innocence, and not make this an intelligence exercise for these %$#@%^&* in Washington that's the challenge. They say absolute power corrupts absolutely [but] there is no other government in the world that operates with [more] impunity."
Those words seem almost prophetic now. That said, from a spiritual perspective, I accept the ill that was carried out by those I mentioned in this brief explanation, maybe it was karma. I accept the cosmic tide. This was the catalyst the higher order used to bring me to the light and force me to find the courage to find myself, my voice, pursue my highest potential.
I’d like to take this time to once again thank you for listening, reading and hopefully monetary support to help change the trajectory of this present circumstance. May peace, health and mental well- being be extended and remain with you all.
I am open to communicating and can be reached under the following information:
Roy M Belfast / Inmate number: 76556-004
United States Penitentiary Lee
P.O. Box 305
Jonesville, VA 24263
Money donation can also be sent directly to my prison account via Western Union
I am an avid reader and open to receiving books all must be soft back.
I am into the following: Topics
Political science
U.S. Foreign
World History particularly the 20th century
Micro/Macro Economics
Biographies on Former World Leaders
Robert Kaplan work (he is one of my favorite authors)
Counter-terrorism
Counter insurgency
Psychology
Books on Leadership
Business Management
Military History
African History
Strategic Thinking (professorJulie Sloan is my favorite author)
Books on Business Strategy and Tactics
Conflict Resolution
Human Rights (To all in the field of human rights: Elise Keppler, Troy Elder, Mr. Skolar, and the other organizations around the world that supported my illegal prosecution, educate me help to understand human rights in a deeper way more than I do now . The contribution I want to make in Africa is real..)
International Relations
International Diplomacy
Bio-Energy
Metaphysical works
Quantum Physics
African Spirituality
Geo-Politics
Books on Russian and French to reconstitute my language study
Informal education has been my only means of growth being in prison..
I would appreciate any aid in helping me pay for enrollment in a Community College to obtain my Associates Degree. Ultimately I want to pursue a concentration BSC in International security studies n the area of intelligence management. If ever released the goal is to return back to Africa to establish a consultancy firm that aids in government in critical areas of data analysis and human rights, policy formulation etc., domestic and regional peace initiatives, conflict resolution etc.
Please write me if any contribution would be fourth coming in this area or send to prison my account with a letter stating an amount has been sent dedicated towards this end.
For any inquiries, please email me at freecharlesemmanuel@gmail.com
