Small Wars Journal

Army Schedules Hearing to Consider Bergdahl Guilty Plea

Thu, 10/12/2017 - 2:31pm

Army Schedules Hearing to Consider Bergdahl Guilty Plea by Jonathan Drew – AP

RALEIGH, N.C. — Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will appear before a judge next week to enter an expected guilty plea to charges that he endangered comrades by walking off his remote post in Afghanistan in 2009.

The Army announced that Bergdahl will appear before a judge at Fort Bragg on Monday to enter his plea. The news release did not elaborate on what his plea would entail.

But last week, two individuals with knowledge of the case told The Associated Press that Bergdahl is expected to plead guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. They were not authorized to discuss the case and demanded anonymity.

It wasn’t clear if Bergdahl has made a deal with prosecutors to limit his punishment. The misbehavior charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the desertion count is punishable by up to five years…

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