BALTIMORE (ABS News) — A federal grand jury in Baltimore has indicted Eric Tataw, a Cameroonian national residing in Maryland for allegedly conspiring to support violent separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening civilians overseas through social media.
Eric Tataw, 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland — known online as “the Garri Master” — surrendered to authorities and was scheduled to make his initial appearance today (Friday, April 25) before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson.
According to court documents, Tataw is accused of coordinating and financially supporting armed separatists known as the “Amba Boys,” and of inciting and directing violent acts, including the maiming of civilians, in support of the separatist cause in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. The indictment claims Tataw encouraged violence against local officials, traditional rulers, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation — a state-owned agricultural company.
Federal prosecutors say Tataw utilized a substantial social media following on platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to call for targeted attacks, raise funds for weapons, and issue threats against those he viewed as sympathizers of the Cameroonian government. His messages, viewed by tens of thousands, allegedly included coded references to brutal acts, such as “small Garri” and “large Garri,” which authorities say referred to mutilation or murder.
“This defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including the severing of limbs, in the name of a separatist movement,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Tataw is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and four counts of transmitting threats across state lines. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and up to five years for each of the threat-related offenses.
“Tataw and his associates launched a vicious campaign to overthrow a foreign government and sowed fear through acts of terror,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “Their blatant disregard for human life will not go unpunished.”
The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, and the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.
Authorities emphasize that an indictment is not a conviction. Tataw remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
