In a landmark ruling, a Monrovia court has ordered the extradition of Othello Bruce, a Liberian-American man accused of raping his 14-year-old daughter in the United States, clearing the way for him to face trial in Massachusetts.
Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco of the Monrovia City Court ruled on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, that Bruce must be handed over to Liberia’s Ministry of Justice for onward extradition to the U.S. The decision comes after months of legal proceedings triggered by a formal request from the U.S. Embassy in August 2024.
In his ruling, Magistrate Barco stated that the conditions for Bruce’s extradition align with Liberia’s treaty obligations and national laws. He emphasized that the charges, including four counts of aggravated statutory rape of a child and multiple counts of indecent assault, fall under offenses covered by the 1937 U.S.-Liberia extradition treaty.
“The state has satisfied all legal requirements for extradition,” Barco declared, dismissing any notion that the charges were politically motivated. He ordered the court sheriff to transfer Bruce to the Justice Ministry and issue a formal committal certificate to Liberia’s Foreign Ministry to facilitate the process.
The case dates back to 2013, when a U.S. grand jury indicted Bruce on 12 criminal counts related to the alleged abuse of his teenage daughter in Worcester, Massachusetts, between 2010 and 2012. By the time charges were filed, Bruce had already left the country, prompting U.S. authorities to seek his return through diplomatic channels.
The ruling marks a significant step in a case that has spanned over a decade, highlighting the challenges of cross-border justice in serious crimes, particularly those involving child sexual abuse. Advocates have welcomed the decision, stressing that perpetrators must not evade accountability by fleeing to another country.
With the court’s approval, Liberian authorities will now coordinate with U.S. officials to arrange Bruce’s transfer. If extradited, he will face trial in Massachusetts, where the original charges remain active.
Legal experts say the case reinforces the importance of international treaties in ensuring justice, even when suspects cross borders. For the victim, now an adult, the ruling may bring a long-awaited chance for closure.
