Three United States Navy SEALs, accused of punching terrorist suspect Ahmed Hashim Abed while in custody, are facing Court Martial. The SEALs, Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, Petty Officer Jonathan Keefe and Petty Officer Julio Heurtas, have all hired civilian lawyers and deny abusing the prisoner in any way.
The terrorist that these Navy SEALs are accused of punching is believed to be the mastermind behind the bloody murder of four U.S. civilian contractors. After the contractors were killed their bodies were hung from a bridge in Falluja Iraq. One of the men killed was a former SEAL. Check out the video below showing what the SEALs do and the dangers they face when they deploy.
According to the stories, here, here, and here, Abed accused the SEALs of punching him in the face and kicking him after his capture. To support the accusation the terrorist showed a bloody lip.
Are you kidding me? A bloody lip? I understand that our soldiers have an obligation to humanely treat anyone they capture, but this is past the point of being absurd, and becoming dangerous for our troops. Honestly, if all this guy got after murdering four U.S. citizens, and planning attacks on soldiers, is a bloody lip then I say he got off pretty easy. I’m not saying that we should torture prisoners, but we shouldn’t treat these guys with kid gloves either. My question is when only one side of a conflict is “playing by the rules” why should the other side place themselves at an obvious disadvantage, and put themselves in danger. I think more of these terrorists need to be punched in the face.
The three SEALs ought to be given a medal for not completely pummeling this guy. What kind of message are we sending to the enemies when we do something this stupid? I give a lot of credit to these men for wanting the case to go to trial. They could have simply opted for a “Captain’s Mast” which is like an administrative proceeding. The men denied punching the terrorist so they are forcing the prosecutors to put on their whole case. If they are convicted they could face up to a year behind bars.
What are we doing when we begin trying to jail the brave men and women who are on the front lines of keeping our country safe? Are we really going to believe the word of a terrorist who has murdered at least four U.S. citizens and most likely has participated in the planning of many more attacks against U.S. citizens in Iraq over these highly trained Navy SEALs? If we do then we’re all in a lot worse shape than anyone could ever imagine.
What is the justification for these charges? Surely they would have to have more than the word of a terrorist before they pressed charges. I simply cannot accept the fact that these heroes are being brought before a court of law to face criminal charges for something this stupid. Is it any wonder that the military has a hard time recruiting these days? I know I wouldn’t want to work for a company that pulled something this asinine.
So, these Navy SEALs, accused of punching terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed, in my opinion deserve a promotion. To me it is a disgrace that these men have been forced to hire attorneys and defend themselves against prosecution from the very government they have risked their lives for. What do you think? I say give them a medal, and God bless all of our servicemen and women who give so much so we can be free.





November 25th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Unbelievable! It’s now obvious that this is the result of ‘changes’ right now being installed by the new socialist-leaning government to turn this great country into losers. What are they thinking?!! This “leftist” group in Washington are showing our enemies how to fight, and God forbid, defeat our very own men and women in the military. Let’s not go to sleep over this, Americans.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
This has me so disgusted! Why is this administration so hell bent on destroying our Military? Why???
November 28th, 2009 at 9:46 am
what can we do to help these seals and get to ones in office out
November 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I recommend the former Navy Seal’s Jesse Ventura’s new television show “Conspiracy” where he will let us in on the governmental ‘truths’ on a cable channel near you.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
It’s a joke treating our mil like criminals.
BTW Y a link to a 5 yo story on SEALs in A-stan?
December 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
RE: The recent media stories and/or blog posts about the three Navy SEALs accused of detainee abuse
1) Not everything the media reports on or information posted by bloggers is accurate.
2) The Sailors are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty at Courts-martial. The charges against the accused are merely accusations.
3) SOCCENT and the Navy are committed to ensuring that the Constitutional rights of the accused are protected and to maintaining good order and discipline.
In addition to the information provided below, all other releasable information regarding the three Navy SEALs accused of detainee abuse is available at:
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50016
To read the charge sheets, go to:
http://www.navy.mil/ChargeSheets.pdf
SOCCENT Press Release
SEALs Accused of Dereliction of Duty and Making False Official Statements
Naval Station, Norfolk, Va. - In September 2009, a SEAL was accused of assaulting a suspected terrorist in Iraq after the prisoner was detained. US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) investigated the accusation. The evidence in the investigation led SOCCENT to charge three SEALs with making false official statements and dereliction of duty. One of the three SEALs has also been charged with impeding an official investigation and another one of the three SEALs has also been charged with assault against a prisoner in his custody.
The service members charged are Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Antonio Huertas Jr., Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Vernon Mccabe, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Elliott Keefe.
Petty Officer Huertas has been charged with violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty; violation of Article 107, making a false official statement; violation of Article 134, impeding an official investigation.
Petty Officer Mccabe has been charged with violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty; violation of article 107, making a false official statement; violation of article 128, assault.
Petty Officer Keefe has been charged with violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty; violation of Article 107, Making a false official statement.
We are committed to following the legal and fair process for the three U.S. Navy Sailors charged in the case. The evidence presented in the investigation made it imperative that we follow this process. The SOCCENT Commanding General did not make this decision lightly; the rights of the Sailors and their specific actions were all taken into account during every step of the thorough investigative process.
The Sailors are presumed innocent unless and until evidence presented at trial leads to a finding of guilt for a charged offense. SOCCENT’s interest then and now is to ensure that the rule of law is followed and that justice will prevail.
Petty Officer Huertas and Petty Officer Mccabe were arraigned on December 7th at the Regional Legal Service Office at Naval Station, Norfolk. A separate
arraignment for Petty Officer Keefe will be scheduled for a future date. The details of any possible Special Courts Martial will not be determined until after the arraignment. SOCCENT is the Convening Authority. It would be inappropriate to comment further on a case that is currently in the pre-trial phase.
+FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. Who are the three Sailors charged in this case?
A1. The following three individuals have been charged in this case:
SO1 (SEAL) Julio Antonio Huertas Jr.
Age: 28
Date Enlisted: June 10, 1999
Date of Rank: June 16, 2006
Rank/Rating: Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL)
SO2 (SEAL) Matthew Vernon Mccabe
Age: 24
Date Enlisted: 02 December 2003
Date of Rank: 16 September 2007
Rank/Rating: Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL)
SO2 (SEAL) Jonathan Elliott Keefe
Age: 25
Date Enlisted: August 17, 2006
Date of Rank: June 16, 2008
Rank/Rating: Special Warfare Operator Second Class (SEAL)
Q2. What are the charges against the three Sailors?
A2. The charges currently written are:
SO1 (SEAL) Julio Antonio Huertas Jr.:
Violation of Article 92: Dereliction of Duty
Violation of Article 107: Making a false official statement.
Violation of Article 134: Impeding an official investigation.
SO2 (SEAL) Matthew Vernon Mccabe:
Violation of Article 92: Dereliction of Duty.
Violation of Article 107: Making a false official statement.
Violation of Article 128: Assault
SO2 (SEAL) Jonathan Elliott Keefe:
Violation of Article 92: Dereliction of Duty.
Violation of Article 107: Making a false official statement.
Q3. Can you expand on what happened that resulted in these charges or explain more details on why these service members are being charged?
A3. Special Operations Command, Central Command (SOCCENT) investigated an accusation that a SEAL allegedly assaulted a suspected Iraqi terrorist in September 2009 after the detainee was returned to a forward operating base in Iraq.
The evidence in the investigation led SOCCENT to charge three Sailors with violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, specifically, making false official statements and dereliction of duty. One of the SEALs has also been charged with impeding an official investigation and another one has also been charged with assault against a prisoner in his custody.
The referral of charges to a Court-Martial is merely an accusation against the accused. The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
SOCCENT’s interest then and now is to ensure that the rule of law is followed and that our judicial process follows its course. It would be inappropriate to comment further on a case that remains under investigation.
Q4. When will the Special Courts-Martial for Petty Officer Huertas and Petty Officer Mccabe occur? How about Petty Officer Keefe?
A4. A Special Court-Martial for Petty Officer Huertas has been tentatively scheduled for January 11th. A separate special court-martial for Petty Officer Mccabe is scheduled for January 19th.
Petty Officer Keefe’s arraignment is tentatively scheduled for December 30th.
Q5. Are the Sailors under pretrial confinement?
A5. No.
Q6. What was the result of the arraignment for Petty Officer Huertas and Petty Officer McCabe?
A6. Petty Officer Huertas pleaded not guilty to dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, and impeding an official investigation. Petty Officer McCabe reserved (deferred) entering his pleas on charges of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, and assault until a later date.
Q7. Could these accusations have been handled with non-judicial punishment (i.e. Captains Mast, Admirals Mast)?
A7. Yes. The accused exercised their rights under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and declined non-judicial punishment.
Q8. Where were the Sailors serving at the time of the incident?
A8. The Sailors are part of an East Coast based SEAL team that was deployed to Camp Schwedler, Iraq, on a routine deployment.
Q9. What is the name of the detainee that Petty Office McCabe is accused of assaulting?
A9. As reported on the official charge sheets and read during arraignment proceedings on December 7th, the detainee’s name is Ahmad Hashim Abd Al-Isawi.
Q10. What is the prisoner accused of that required him to be picked up?
A10. Due to the nature of the investigation and the need to protect evidence during the pretrial period, we are not going to release that information at this time.
Q11. We’ve seen similar incidents involving DOD personnel in the past. Does this incident reflect a larger trend for U.S. Forces treatment to detainees?
A11. The United States does not tolerate the assault of detainees held in custody by our forces. We take any such accusations very seriously and will administer the proper due process so we can determine if there was any wrongdoing by our service members.
However, it’s important to point out that the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Q12. Have the Sailors hired private attorneys in this case?
A12. Yes. All three Sailors have retained civilian attorneys. They are also each provided a military attorney.
Q13. Does the Navy pay for civilian Counsel?
A13. No. The cost of civilian counsel is borne by the accused.
Q14. Who are the military and civilian defense attorneys for each service member?
A14.
U.S. v. Huertas
LT Andrew Carmichael, JAGC USN (military)
LT Guy Reschenthaler , JAGC USN (military)
Ms. Monica Lombardi, LLC (civilian)
Monica L. Lombardi, LLC.
http://www.militarytrial.com
mlombardi@militarytrial.com
757-309-4764 or 888-826-5529
U.S. v. Keefe
LT Paul Threatt , JAGC USN (military)
LT Emily Gibbons, JAGC USN (military).
Mr. Greg McCormack (civilian)
The Law Firm of Greg D. McCormack, PC.
http://www.militarylawyers.org
inquiry@mccormackpc.com
757-463-7224.
U.S. v. McCabe
LT Kevin Shea, JAGC USN (military)
LT Kristen Anastos, JAGC USN (military)
Mr. Neal Puckett (civilian)
Mr. Neal Puckett is from the Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC.
http://www.puckettfaraj.com
neal@puckettfaraj.com
888-970-0005.
Q15. Who are the military judges for each case?
A15.
CDR Tierney Carlos, JAGC, USN will be the military judge for Huertas and Keefe.
CAPT Moira Modzelewski, JAGC, USN will be the military judge for McCabe.
CAPT Moira Modzelewski, JAGC, USN will preside over the arraignments on Monday, December 7, 2009.
Q16. Who is the trial counsel for each case?
A16. LCDR Jason Grover, JAGC, USN and LTJG Nicholas Kadlec, JAGC, USN will be the trial counsel for all three cases.
Q17. Who is the Convening Authority?
MaGen Charles T. Cleveland, U.S. Army
Special Operations Command Central
December 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm
This is a travesty but not a surprise. This administration is under the rule of an admitted muslim, and as such, this type of harrassment against our Military is expected. I can only hope enough Americans support the defense of these brave men so they not only are found not guilty but are left with little if any financial debt!