U.S. Soldier Convicted in Abuse
An American soldier has been sentenced to four months’ confinement after being found guilty of punching detainees in Afghanistan, the U.S. military said.
Army Spc. James R. Hayes was convicted Friday of one count of conspiracy to maltreat and two counts of maltreatment, the military said in a statement Saturday. His rank will be reduced to private and he will forfeit all pay and allowances for four months, the statement said.
Hayes was accused of punching detainees in the chest, arms and shoulders in July at a forward operating base in Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province.
Sgt. Kevin D. Myricks will face a court-martial Jan. 30 in the incident, the statement said.
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