Soldier Sentenced After Detainee Abuse Guilty Plea

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2004 – A U.S. soldier charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees and maltreatment of detainees pleaded guilty to both charges today in a special court-martial in Baghdad, Iraq.

A Multinational Force Iraq news release reported that Spc. Armin D. Cruz was sentenced to reduction in grade to private, eight months of confinement and a bad-conduct discharge from the Army.

Officials have not yet decided where Cruz will serve the confinement portion of his sentence, the news release said.