Joseph Peter Moesser, this “mysterious fourth man,” an “explosives expert from Utah” who appears in the trial of Marcel Malanga & Co in the USA (FBI / Salt Lake City)
A fourth man in Utah, Joseph Peter Moesser, is accused by prosecutors of being an explosives expert.
Another man from Utah has also been indicted for his alleged contribution to the coup attempt in Congo, although he does not appear to have traveled to Congo himself.
Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson, both 22 years old, were among four people indicted on Wednesday on multiple charges, including conspiracy to provide material support for the use of “weapons of mass destruction” to bomb Congolese government facilities and kill or kidnap Congolese public figures.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s field office in Salt Lake City, as well as other agencies.
Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, and Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, were indicted along with Malanga and Thompson.
Moesser lives in West Valley City, and according to the charging documents, he was a “maker, technician, and supplier of explosives.” He allegedly met with Malanga and Thompson at his home to explain the operation of various weapons and explosives.
“[Moesser’s] role included, among other things, designing, manufacturing, and providing assembly instructions for destructive devices. He also intended to provide sniper support during the attack,” the indictment states. He allegedly had a long-standing relationship with Christian Malanga, Marcel’s father. Moesser was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Tuesday.
Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun Plead Not Guilty
Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were ordered to remain in custody after pleading not guilty during a joint court appearance on Thursday.
Moesser, 67, appeared separately and was also detained after pleading not guilty. According to prosecutors, he allegedly provided training and instructions on handling explosives at his Utah home and supplied weapons.
The four Americans are accused of conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction to bomb Congolese government facilities with the aim of assassinating or kidnapping individuals abroad. They face significant prison sentences if convicted.
The three Americans who traveled to Congo were among 37 people sentenced to death last September by a Congolese military court for their role in the attempted coup.
Moesser’s attorney, Adam Merrill, declined to comment. Attorneys for Malanga, Thompson, and Zalman-Polun could not be immediately reached by phone or email.
With Aime Binda
