–Suspect, 46, Remanded in Nimba County
By: Shallon S. Gonlor
Shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
GANTA CITY, Nimba County, Liberia — Police in Ganta City, Nimba County, have arrested, charged, and sent a 46-year-old man, identified as Stanley Gondoun, to court for allegedly raping a 115-year-old woman in Menyen’s Village, outside Ganta City.
The alleged abuse reportedly occurred during the night of November 4, 2026, prompting police intervention after the survivor’s grandson reported the matter to law enforcement authorities. On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the case was forwarded to the Sexual Offenses Division Court of the 8th Judicial Circuit in Sanniquellie, and the defendant was ordered remanded to the Sanniquellie Central Prison pending further judicial proceedings.
According to the police charge sheet, the victim’s grandson, Stephen Mehn, reported the alleged rape to the Ganta Zone One Base Police Depot on November 4, 2026, accusing Gondoun of committing the crime of rape in violation of Section 14.70 of Liberia’s Revised Penal Code.
Victim’s Account of the Incident
During a preliminary investigative interview, the 115-year-old alleged victim, identified by her initials K.M., told police that she was asleep in her room when an unidentified individual entered and informed her that he intended to have sexual intercourse with her.
The victim alleged that the individual proceeded to remove her clothing and underwear before sexually assaulting her through digital penetration and sexual intercourse.
She later identified the alleged perpetrator as Stanley Gondoun, who reportedly lived in the same building.
On November 5, 2026, the victim was referred to Ganta United Methodist Hospital for medical examination. According to the police charge sheet, the medical examination report documented findings consistent with sexual penetration.
Defendant’s Account to Police
During police questioning, Gondoun reportedly admitted that he had consumed alcohol on the day of the alleged incident but denied having any recollection of the events surrounding the accusation. According to his statement, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, he left his residence in Menyen’s Village and went to the main town, where some friends offered him alcoholic beverages.
He told investigators that after consuming the liquor and becoming intoxicated, he returned home, went into his room, and lay down.
The defendant further explained that he could not remember anything afterward until he regained awareness outside, where he found himself surrounded by a group of residents who were allegedly beating him and accusing him of raping the elderly woman.
Witnesses’ Statements
Police investigators also interviewed several witnesses, including Kou Yarmah, who reportedly serves as the victim’s caregiver. According to her statement, she returned from the main town on the night of November 4 and entered the house, where the elderly woman called her into her room. Yarmah told investigators that the victim informed her that Gondoun, who also lived in the building, had entered her room and sexually assaulted her.
She further explained that upon entering the victim’s room, she found the elderly woman naked. She subsequently called Yeebazon Menyen and Martha Tarkpor to come and witness the situation. According to the police charge sheet, Yarmah told investigators that when the two witnesses arrived, they also observed Gondoun lying naked in his room within the same building.
Witnesses Yeebazon Menyen and Martha Tarkpor reportedly corroborated Yarmah’s account, telling police that they were called to the scene and found the elderly woman naked in her room. They further stated that the victim informed them that the man residing in the same house had entered her room and sexually assaulted her.
Police Preliminary Findings
Based on the preliminary investigation, police said investigators established that the victim was an elderly woman who was reportedly ill and required assistance with her daily care.
The police charge sheet further indicated that the defendant was found lying naked in a room within the same building where the alleged assault occurred, while the victim was also found naked in her room.
Investigators further relied on the victim’s account, witness statements, and the medical examination report, which reportedly documented evidence of sexual penetration.
The police subsequently charged Gondoun with rape and forwarded the case to the Sexual Offenses Division Court of the 8th Judicial Circuit for judicial determination.
The defendant remains at the Sanniquellie Central Prison pending further court proceedings. The allegations against Gondoun have yet to be established through a final judicial determination, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
