US Soldier Faces Multiple Charges Including Desertion and Child Pornography
By Pierre Herubel
In a shocking turn of events, the US Army has charged Private Travis King with a range of crimes, including desertion, assault against fellow soldiers, and solicitation of child pornography. The charges, which have not been previously reported, came to light through documents obtained by Reuters.
Private King, a 23-year-old soldier, now faces eight distinct charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. These charges set the stage for a significant legal battle after his release from North Korean custody in September.
The Army has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the case.
However, in a statement provided by a family spokesperson, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, expressed her unconditional love for her son and pleaded for him to be afforded the presumption of innocence. Gates believes that something happened to her son during his deployment and is eagerly awaiting the results of the Army’s investigation into the matter.
For weeks, the Army has deflected questions regarding possible disciplinary action against King, stating that their priority was ensuring the soldier received proper care after being held by North Korea for two months.
King’s release from North Korea came after extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations involving the Swedish government. The Swedish government facilitated his retrieval from North Korea and transported him safely across the border into China, where he was handed over to the US ambassador.
On September 28, King was flown to a military hospital in Texas for medical evaluations, including a mental health assessment.
Details about King’s treatment in North Korean custody remain scarce, and the soldier has not publicly explained why he chose to flee to one of the world’s most reclusive nations on July 19.
However, the Army’s charge sheet accuses him of various misconduct prior to his escape, including an attempted escape from US military custody in October 2022.
King stands accused of soliciting a Snapchat user to produce child pornography and possessing child pornography. He also faces charges of insubordination for leaving his base after curfew and violating Army regulations by consuming alcohol.
To defend him against these charges, King’s family has hired a legal team led by Franklin Rosenblatt, who previously served as lead military defense counsel during the court martial proceedings against Bowe Bergdahl. Bergdahl was an Army sergeant who was held captive by the Taliban for five years after deserting his post in Afghanistan in 2009.
“I am grateful for the extraordinary legal team representing my son, and I look forward to my son having his day in court,” stated King’s mother, Claudine Gates.
Prior to his actions in North Korea, King had already faced allegations of assault in South Korea. He pleaded guilty to assault and damaging public property during an incident involving a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans. Instead of paying a fine, King chose to spend over a month in South Korean detention.
Following his release from South Korean detention, King was due to face disciplinary action in the United States. However, he managed to slip away from Seoul’s international airport and embarked on a civilian tour of the border area between North and South Korea. It was during this tour that he sprinted across the border into North Korea and was promptly taken into custody.
In addition to the charges mentioned earlier, King also faces a charge of desertion. The Army claims that King left his post in South Korea with the intention of permanently staying away and remained absent as a deserter until on or about September 27, 2023.
As the legal battle looms, the public remains eager for answers regarding the motives behind King’s actions and the circumstances of his time in North Korean custody. The case represents a complex and troubling situation that will undoubtedly attract significant attention in the coming months.
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