Man Who Abducted Son in Canada in 1987 Located and Arrested in Connecticut

A man who is alleged to have kidnapped his 21-month old son in Canada in 1987 was arrested this morning in Vernon, Connecticut.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, U.S. Marshal Brian J. Taylor, and Special Agent in Charge Christina D. Scaringi of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, made the announcement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, it is alleged that ALLAN MANN, JR., 66, abducted his 21-month-old son, Jermaine Allan Mann, on June 24, 1987, during a court-ordered visit in Toronto, Canada.  Allan Mann, who has dual Canadian and Ghanaian citizenship, and his son subsequently entered the U.S.  Allan Mann changed his name to HAILEE RANDOLPH DeSOUZA, changed the name of his son, and acquired counterfeit birth certificates for him and his son.

It is further alleged that DeSouza has most recently been residing in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Section 8 subsidized housing in Vernon, Connecticut.  In connection with his rental application to participate in HUD’s Section 8 program, DeSouza provided a birth certificate purportedly issued in 1985 by the State of Texas for his birth at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas, in 1957.  The State of Texas has confirmed that the birth certificate is counterfeit and that no such birth of an individual bearing that name was recorded in the State of Texas. 

Mann/DeSouza was arrested this morning on a federal criminal complaint charging him with making false statements, and making false statements in HUD transactions.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and is detained.

The U.S. Marshals Service is working closely with Canadian law enforcement authorities, and Jermaine Allan Mann’s mother has been notified that her son has been identified and located.

“After taking his son away from his son’s mother, this defendant is alleged to have lived a lie for the last 31 years in violation of numerous U.S. laws,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “We thank the many law enforcement agencies, in the U.S. and Canada, that have investigated this matter, worked hard to apprehend this fugitive, and finally provided some answers to a mother who has suffered with her son’s absence for far too long.”

“We are extremely ecstatic to have Allan Mann in custody and to bring closure to this kidnapping case after 31 years,” said U.S. Marshall Taylor.

“This is one of those rare cases that tugs at your heart strings,” said HUD-OIG Special Agent in Charge Scaringi.  “Not only did we, working collectively, get this alleged bad actor off the street, but we played a role in reuniting an unjustly separated family.” 

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services –Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, Toronto Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Vernon Police Department.  The Missing Children Society of Canada and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have provided critical assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Karwan and Hal Chen.