Bridgeport man pleads guilty to conspiring to support armed group in Cameroon

Didimus Kimbi, 37, of Bridgeport pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to an armed separatist group in Cameroon. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison, according to an Oct. 27 release from U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

Kimbi, also known as “Samba Ngala,” supported the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF) for more than three years, according to the plea agreement described in the release. The group sought to kill, kidnap, maim or injure individuals in Cameroon, the release said.

The release said Kimbi gave financial support and served as an intermediary between ground commanders and an individual who approved weapons purchases. The commanders supplied images and pricing for weapons.

Kimbi used information from the ground commanders to prepare written operational plans intended to cause harm and transmit them to ADF leadership, according to the release.

Kimbi agreed to a sentencing enhancement for a federal crime of terrorism as part of the plea agreement. That increases the potential penalties, the release said.

“We will not tolerate individuals who commit acts of violence abroad while enjoying the freedoms and safety of the United States,” Harvey said in the release. “This conviction should serve as a warning to anyone contemplating similar crimes: we will find you, investigate, and bring you to justice.”

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Jarod J. Douglas, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney Randolph Bernard and National Security Division Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the Justice Department. FBI offices in Pittsburgh; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Washington, D.C., handled the investigation.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.