By Jacqueline L. Dennis
TUBMANBURG, BOMI COUNTY – Police in Bomi County have charged Mr. Alphonso M. Sherman, Administrative Officer of Bomi County, with multiple criminal offenses including criminal conspiracy, theft of property, criminal attempt to commit theft, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, criminal mischief, and burglary, following allegations that he conspired to sell and scrap heavy-duty equipment worth over US$2 million belonging to British national Mr. Hans Armstrong.
According to the Liberia National Police (LNP) Crime Services Division (CSD) charge sheet, the alleged crimes occurred between March and May 2025 in Sackie Town, Bomi County. Sherman was arrested on October 21, 2025, in Tubmanburg City, after weeks of investigation sparked by a formal complaint filed by Armstrong through his legal counsel, Attorney Mbivulo Blama of the Liberia Law Group Inc.
The Complaint
The complaint alleges that Mr. Sherman, in his official capacity as County Administrative Officer, issued a public notice of sale dated May 16, 2025, soliciting buyers — including Universal Scrap Dealers Company — to purchase and scrap several pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment, including Caterpillar excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks, and gold-washing plants.
The equipment, valued at over US$2,000,000, was reportedly the subject of a long-standing court dispute between Armstrong and two other individuals — Reginald Holder and Jehu Richardson — which was resolved earlier this year by Criminal Court “C” in Monrovia in Armstrong’s favor.
Despite being aware of the court’s ruling and subsequent directive authorizing Armstrong’s repossession of the equipment, Sherman allegedly proceeded with the sale notice. Following the publication, co-defendants Fatu Kanneh and Abraham Barry reportedly began scrapping and selling the machines in March 2025. Both co-defendants are now at large.
Investigation Findings
During police interrogation, defendant Sherman admitted issuing the sale notice but denied that any sale had actually occurred. He claimed that the Bomi County administration was merely seeking to “dispose of abandoned machinery” and would have returned the equipment to Armstrong upon presentation of valid ownership documents.
However, investigators determined that Sherman’s claim was false, citing documentary evidence — including a court ruling dated July 10, 2025, by Judge A. Blamo Dixon of Criminal Court “C” — confirming Armstrong’s legal ownership of the equipment.
Further findings revealed that Sherman had previously received a directive from Judge Dixon on April 7, 2025, ordering Bomi County authorities to lift a stay order on the equipment and to assist Armstrong in repossession. Despite this, Sherman allegedly disregarded the court order and instead issued the sale notice.
Police investigators also discovered that co-defendants Kanneh and Barry used oxygen cutting torches to dismantle the machinery into pieces for scrap, causing massive damage and financial loss to Armstrong.
Charges and Next Steps
The LNP has forwarded Sherman’s case to the court for prosecution under Chapters 10 and 15 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia. The offenses cited include Sections 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 15.5, 15.20, and 15.51, all of which carry severe penalties for conspiracy, theft, and property crimes.
Sherman remains in police custody pending court proceedings, while his alleged accomplices, Kanneh and Barry, remain on the run.
Background of the Case
Documents submitted during the investigation show that Armstrong purchased the equipment on March 9, 2012, from Euro Liberia Logging Company for US$117,000. The machines were later leased to Italgems Mining Company for operations in Bomi County. Police sources say the dispute over ownership had long been resolved in Armstrong’s favor before Sherman’s alleged actions reignited the controversy.
