One of four children, Joya enrolled in military academy at 14, but was expelled "when a teacher caught him cheating on an exam." Billy Joya was one of at least 18 members of the
death squad Intelligence Battalion 3-16 who trained at the
School of the Americas in the
United States. Joya fled legal proceedings in Honduras regarding allegations of torture and
forced disappearances carried out by Battalion 3-16, and sought
political asylum in
Spain, which was rejected. In August 1998 a claim was filed against Joya in Spain requesting his detention, asserting
universal jurisdiction under the
Convention Against Torture. "Joya voluntarily returned to Honduras in December 1998 after receiving promises of special treatment. He was jailed but freed in August 2000 after a judge said there was not enough evidence to continue his detention." In 1996 Joya told the victims of Battalion 3-16, "I ask pardon for having contributed to that history of pain and suffering that you experienced." ==Security adviser==