ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Muslim Army chaplain arrested last year on charges of mishandling classified documents at a prison camp for terrorism suspects was reprimanded yesterday on minor charges.
“Of course I am disappointed in the outcome,” Capt. James Yee, 35, said after the Article 15 proceeding, used by the Army to settle minor disciplinary issues. He will appeal the reprimand.
Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, the commanding officer at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, found Capt. Yee guilty of two violations of military law — adultery and improperly downloading pornography onto an Army computer.
In an Article 15 proceeding, a finding of guilt does not result in a criminal conviction.
Gen. Miller had the option of imposing 30 days’ confinement in quarters, 60 days on restriction and a loss of one-half of a month’s pay for a maximum of two months. He issued only a reprimand.
Capt. Yee, a Muslim convert, spent 76 days in custody after the military initially linked him to a possible espionage ring at Guantanamo. But the government failed to build a capital espionage case against him.
He eventually was charged with mishandling classified material, failing to obey an order, making a false official statement, adultery and conduct unbecoming an officer. If convicted, he could have received up to 14 years in prison.
On Friday, the Army dismissed all criminal charges, saying national security concerns prevented them from seeking a court-martial in open court.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.