March 21, 2004
Guantanamo Chaplain charges quietly dropped
The Army's allegations last year were grave: A military chaplain at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was linked to a possible espionage ring and eventually charged with mishandling classified information. Six months later, all charges against Capt. James Yee have been dropped.Posted by Norwood at March 21, 2004 10:25 AM"Chaplain Yee has won," his attorney, Eugene R. Fidell of Washington, said in a statement Friday. "The Army's dismissal of the classified information charges against him represents a long overdue vindication."
Yee now faces only minor punishment and should be back at work soon. If convicted of all the original charges, he could have faced dismissal from the Army and a maximum of 14 years in prison.
......Charges against Yee had included mishandling classified material, failing to obey an order, making a false official statement, adultery and conduct unbecoming an officer for allegedly downloading pornography on his government laptop.
The U.S. Southern Command said in a release from its Miami headquarters that Yee will face nonjudicial punishment for two side issues, allegations of adultery and pornography, at a hearing Monday at Fort Meade, Md. Only minor punishment, such as duty restriction or a temporary pay cut, is expected.
