Abu Ghraib Officer Escapes Prison Time

Aug 29, 03:40 PM

Current Headlines: The only U.S. officer to face trial in the Abu Ghraib scandal was issued a reprimand Wednesday by a court-martial but faces no prison time.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Jordan was acquitted earlier this week of charges related to the abuse of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. He was convicted of disobeying an order not to talk to investigation targets.

An investigator last year recommended Jordan receive a reprimand and dismissal from the Army but he could have faced up to five years in prison on the single count of disobeying an order, The Washington Post reported.

The prosecution recommended that the matter be handled administratively but senior officers instead decided on a court-martial.

Eleven low-ranking soldiers have been held accountable for the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib. But Jordan maintained he didn't supervise or train those guards.