A former Nigerian police officer, Sinmi Asomuyide, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison in the United States for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl while serving with the Kokomo Police Department in Indiana.
The 33-year-old was also sentenced to three years of supervised release after being convicted in June 2026 of deprivation of rights under colour of law, witness tampering and destruction of records, according to the US Department of Justice.
Prosecutors said Asomuyide first encountered the teenager on June 30, 2024, after her father reported her missing as a runaway.
He reportedly took her to a youth centre, switched off his body camera and used her mobile phone to contact his personal TextNow number.
The two subsequently exchanged messages, with the girl reportedly believing that the officer would help her recover a vape pen that had been seized.
However, prosecutors said Asomuyide later left the police station after requesting overtime, picked up the teenager from a family friend’s apartment while wearing his police uniform, handcuffed her and drove her to an isolated warehouse parking lot, where he sexually assaulted her.
The victim subsequently reported the incident, prompting an investigation that uncovered incriminating evidence.
Investigators reportedly discovered a dried semen stain inside his patrol vehicle, which DNA testing linked to Asomuyide. His mobile phone also contained internet searches relating to the deletion of his TextNow account.
The Justice Department further disclosed that Asomuyide had previously resigned from a police department in Virginia following an allegation that he had engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
However, prosecutors said he misrepresented the circumstances surrounding his departure when applying to join the Kokomo Police Department.
Reacting to the sentencing, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said Asomuyide would be held accountable for his actions, expressing hope that the victim would recover and go on to prosper despite the experience.
US Attorney Tom Wheeler said the former officer abused the authority entrusted to him and subsequently attempted to conceal his actions.
Similarly, FBI official Timothy O’Malley stressed that individuals entrusted with protecting children must never become perpetrators of abuse against them.
The 40-year federal prison sentence marks the conclusion of the prosecution of the former officer over the sexual assault and related offences.
