Jeremy Sivits

Jeremy Sivits
Born (1979-01-21) January 21, 1979
Allegiance United StatesUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service ??? - 2004
Rank Private
Unit 372nd Military Police Company
Battles/wars Operation Iraqi Freedom, Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present

Jeremy C. Sivits (born 21 January 1979) is a former U.S. Army reservist, one of several soldiers charged and convicted by the U.S. Army in connection with the 2003-2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Baghdad, Iraq during and after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He was a member of the 372nd Military Police Company during this time.[1]

Sivits was the man who took some of the photographs at the prison which became notorious after some were first aired on the 60 Minutes II news television show.[2][3] His father, David Sivits, a former serviceman, claims that Sivits was trained as a mechanic, not a prison guard,[4] and that he "was just doing what he was told to do."[5] Sivits was the first soldier convicted in connection with the Abu Ghraib incidents.[6]

Charges and trial

On May 5, 2004: Sivits was charged under Uniform Code of Military Justice with the following:[7]

His special court-martial was held on May 19, 2004 in Baghdad. Sivits pled guilty and testified against some of his fellow soldiers.[8] Sivits's testimony included reporting seeing Charles Graner punching a naked detainee "with a closed fist so hard in the temple that it knocked the detainee unconscious."[9] Sivits also testified seeing Lynndie England stomping on the feet and hands of detainees with her boots.[8]

The court martial sentenced Sivits to the maximum sentence, one year of confinement, in addition to being discharged for bad conduct and demoted from specialist to private.[7]

Human Rights Watch and other human rights groups were not allowed in the court room.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Jeremy Sivits: Fired and Demoted?". Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Hannah Allam (May 9, 2004). "Coalition announces first court-martial in risoner abuse scandal". McClatchy DC.
  3. ↑ "Military trial is set in prisoner abuse case A military policeman from Penna. is the first to face a public court-martial in the scandal. His family said he took some of the photos at the Iraq prison". Philly.com. May 10, 2004.
  4. ↑ Joel Roberts (May 10, 2004). "Praise For Iraq Whistleblower". CBS News.
  5. ↑ Gregg Zoroya (May 18, 2004). "Hometown says soldier was always eager to please". USA Today.
  6. ↑ Jackie Spinner (May 20, 2004). "Soldier Gets 1 Year In Abuse of Iraqis". The Washington Post.
  7. 1 2 "US Soldier jailed for Iraq abuse". BBC. May 19, 2004.
  8. 1 2 "Ex-Soldier Testifies in Abuse Hearing". The New York Times. August 31, 2004.
  9. ↑ Christian Davenport (May 14, 2004). "Accused soldier details prison abuse". The Seattle Times.
  10. ↑ Ian Fisher (May 20, 2004). "THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ: COURT-MARTIAL; On Arab TV, Gaza Strife Dims Trial". The New York Times.
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