U.S. soldier who fled to North Korea charged with desertion
The Hindu
Pvt. Travis King faces 8 charges incl. desertion, possessing sexual images of a child, kicking/punching officers, unlawfully possessing alcohol, making false statement. His mother asks for presumption of innocence. Punishment can incl. confinement, forfeiture of pay, dishonourable discharge.
An Army private who fled to North Korea before being returned home to the United States last month has been detained by the U.S. military, two officials said Thursday night, and is facing charges including desertion and possessing sexual images of a child.
The eight counts against Pvt. Travis King are detailed in a charging document seen by The Associated Press. The officials who confirmed King's confinement spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the charges have not been publicly announced.
Mr. King's mother, Claudine Gates, said in a statement that she loved her son “unconditionally” and was “extremely concerned about his mental health.”
“As his mother, I ask that my son be afforded the presumption of innocence,” she said.
Desertion is a very serious charge and can result in imprisonment for as much as three years. Mr. King is also accused of kicking and punching other officers last year, unlawfully possessing alcohol, making a false statement and possessing a video of a child engaged in sexual activity. That allegation dates to July 10, the same day he was released from a South Korean prison where he had served nearly two months on assault charges.
One week later, Mr. King, 23, ran across the heavily fortified border from South Korea and became the first American detained in North Korea in nearly five years. He was set to be sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced potential additional disciplinary actions and discharge.
Officials said Mr. King was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs. But instead of getting on the plane, he left and later joined a civilian tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. He ran across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists, in the afternoon.
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