Former Rockport resident Elton “Mark” McCabe has apparently been freed from a South Sudan prison and must go through a final hearing before returning to the United States.In a Nov. 29 email to The Rockport Pilot, Cheryl Casterline, McCabe’s cousin, posted a Facebook post from Anne Bennett McCabe announcing her husband has been freed from a South Sudan prison.The posting announced U.S. Senator David Vitter’s office had called and reported all charges against McCabe had been dropped and her husband is released and safe in the U.S. Embassy.From the family home in Slidell, LA Anne McCabe said, “He is free, all charges have been dropped, and he is safe.”
A email from Voice of America News to Casterline (Nov. 29, 7:29 a.m) stated, “McCabe and Mohamed appeared in court today. The Attorney General intervened today. He told the judge that he wanted to use his constitutional powers to stop the case. Apparently there will be another hearing on Dec. 6, when the Attorney General will bring a letter from the Ministry of Justice stopping the case. If this happens, that will be the last appearance in court.”“We are all very happy,” said Casterline. “He is free and he is in a secure place.”McCabe, 52, had been working in South Sudan as a construction contractor and was held by South Sudan authorities since Oct. 14. He and his family live in Slidell, LA.A letter, dated Nov. 2 from the United States Department of State to Anne McCabe said, “On Sunday Oct. 14, your husband was arrested by South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) along with an Iraqi national. We note the NSS has no arrest or detention authority under South Sudanese law except in those extraordinary cases, which impact national security. We also know Mr. McCabe was denied his legal right to be seen by a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest as stipulated in South Sudanese statute.”The U.S. State Department was notified of McCabe’s arrest Oct. 18 when the Kenyan Ambassador to South Sudan contacted U.S. Ambassador Susan Paige. During an Oct. 18 meeting with Internal Security Director General Akol Koor Kuc, Paige was told McCabe was accused of extortion and kidnapping with the intent to murder. No formal charges were filed.Paige and a consular officer delivered a formal protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 25. McCabe was transferred to police custody Oct. 29 and transferred to Juba Prison Oct. 30. On Nov. 1 embassy officers were informed McCabe was to be released, however NSS officers picked up McCabe and the Iraqi man (Mohamed) after their release and returned them to prison.
According to Anne McCabe her husband lost 25 to 30 pounds during his incarceration. “I am trying to get mentally prepared to see him when he gets off the plane,” she said.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of rockportpilot.com.
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
...
Former Rockport resident Elton “Mark” McCabe has apparently been freed from a South Sudan prison and must go through a final hearing before returning to the United States.In a Nov. 29 email to The Rockport Pilot, Cheryl Casterline, McCabe’s cousin, posted a Facebook post from Anne Bennett McCabe announcing her husband has been freed from a South Sudan prison.The posting announced U.S. Senator David Vitter’s office had called and reported all charges against McCabe had been dropped and her husband is released and safe in the U.S. Embassy.From the family home in Slidell, LA Anne McCabe said, “He is free, all charges have been dropped, and he is safe.”
A email from Voice of America News to Casterline (Nov. 29, 7:29 a.m) stated, “McCabe and Mohamed appeared in court today. The Attorney General intervened today. He told the judge that he wanted to use his constitutional powers to stop the case. Apparently there will be another hearing on Dec. 6, when the Attorney General will bring a letter from the Ministry of Justice stopping the case. If this happens, that will be the last appearance in court.”“We are all very happy,” said Casterline. “He is free and he is in a secure place.”McCabe, 52, had been working in South Sudan as a construction contractor and was held by South Sudan authorities since Oct. 14. He and his family live in Slidell, LA.A letter, dated Nov. 2 from the United States Department of State to Anne McCabe said, “On Sunday Oct. 14, your husband was arrested by South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) along with an Iraqi national. We note the NSS has no arrest or detention authority under South Sudanese law except in those extraordinary cases, which impact national security. We also know Mr. McCabe was denied his legal right to be seen by a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest as stipulated in South Sudanese statute.”The U.S. State Department was notified of McCabe’s arrest Oct. 18 when the Kenyan Ambassador to South Sudan contacted U.S. Ambassador Susan Paige. During an Oct. 18 meeting with Internal Security Director General Akol Koor Kuc, Paige was told McCabe was accused of extortion and kidnapping with the intent to murder. No formal charges were filed.Paige and a consular officer delivered a formal protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 25. McCabe was transferred to police custody Oct. 29 and transferred to Juba Prison Oct. 30. On Nov. 1 embassy officers were informed McCabe was to be released, however NSS officers picked up McCabe and the Iraqi man (Mohamed) after their release and returned them to prison.
According to Anne McCabe her husband lost 25 to 30 pounds during his incarceration. “I am trying to get mentally prepared to see him when he gets off the plane,” she said.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of rockportpilot.com.
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan official in Khartoum - gulfnews.com - 02/12/2012 05:11
- Special Report: Why some new countries are more equal than others - Reuters UK - 02/12/2012 02:09
- Slidell man's charges dropped by South Sudan judge - News Banner - 01/12/2012 11:33
- Cecafa: Uganda 4 South Sudan 0Publish Date: Nov 30, 2012 - New Vision - 01/12/2012 03:58
- Why rushing South Sudan into the EAC is a reckless idea - New Sudan Vision - 01/12/2012 02:15
Older news items
- Chinese political advisor meets South Sudan delegation - People's Daily Online - 29/11/2012 19:48
- South Sudan judge dismisses charges against Slidell businessman - NOLA.com - 29/11/2012 15:24
- Lack of trust slows Sudan-South Sudan deals: US envoy - AFP - 29/11/2012 10:50
- Humanitarian appeal for South Sudan tops one billion - Examiner.com - 28/11/2012 20:40
- Pending issues between Sudan and South Sudan having negative security ... - UN News Centre - 28/11/2012 13:44
Latest news items (all categories):
- The Emerging Endgame of the Russo-Ukrainian War - 05/08/2026 22:59
- The changing face of “Made in China” - 05/08/2026 22:41
- UK - Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to South Sudan: Rebecca Fabrizi - 05/08/2026 22:09
- South Sudan rewriting its future with eyes on agriculture and mining boom - 05/08/2026 21:53
- Moroccan king's letter confirms naming of major highway in honour of Trump - 05/08/2026 21:52
Random articles (all categories):
- Refugee Children Dying at Alarming Rate in South Sudan, Aid Groups Say - New York Times - 06/07/2012 23:16
- South Sudan students in Morocco complain about economic hardships - 20/11/2018 03:32
- EU Urged to Escalate Financial Pressure on Warring Leaders in Sudan - 29/07/2024 19:45
- South Sudan Rebels Condemn Creation of 28 New States - 05/10/2015 01:23
- Internet services blocked in Sudan ahead of coup anniversary protests - 25/10/2022 01:36
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148340 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27923 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25006 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24330 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22287 times
