When someone comes to the United States from another country they may want to stay here and try to do so legally. That means being truthful when answering questions on a citizenship application. One of those questions is “Have you ever committed a crime”. Sumo Dukulah, 47, of Philadelphia, PA, lied on his application when he filled it out in 2011. He said he had never committed any crimes, when in fact, he was raping an eight year old girl, federal authorities said.
He started this abuse in 2004, when the child was just eight year old. He conti9nued having sex with her for years, until March of 2013, when she was 16. He was arrested for the abuse in April of 2013. He was convicted and is in prison doing a 31 to 63 year prison sentence. The federal charged were brought by indictment, because it was discovered that Dukulah lied on his application.
“Applying to become a citizen of the United States necessitates your willingness to adhere to the laws of our Nation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “What this defendant did, and the crime for which he was convicted, is not just illegal but is also morally repugnant and shocking. The defendant then allegedly lied about it in order to obtain U.S. citizenship, and he will have to answer to this charge in federal court.
Upon conviction, he will lose his citizenship and be sentenced to an additional; 20 years in jail.