Fort Bliss soldier gets 180 days in prison for cruelty, maltreatment
EL PASO — A Fort Bliss soldier has been demoted and sentenced to 180 days in prison for brutalizing members of his platoon, including one who committed suicide in Iraq.
Pvt. Jarrett Taylor, formerly a sergeant, was one of four soldiers charged with cruelty and maltreatment of subordinates in a cavalry troop that is part of Fort Bliss’ 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. The brigade is training security forces in Iraq.
A U.S. military jury in Kuwait convicted Taylor on Nov. 20 of cruelty and maltreatment, and of making false statements, Lt. Col. Kevin Olson said in an e-mail.
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The Army said the abuse of certain platoon members occurred between July 31 and Aug. 4, the day Wilhelm, 19, killed himself with a gunshot to the head.
None of the four soldiers who were accused of wrong doing face homicide charges.
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