Armed Forces News

Judge Spends Night in Jail With Vet

A judge in Fayetteville, N.C., sentenced a former Green Beret to a night in jail for driving while intoxicated – and chose to share the cell with the man, CBS News reported April 29. The Judge, Lou Olivera, said he had to hold retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Serna accountable for his action. The judge felt compassion for the former soldier, knowing that Serna suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) brought on during three combat tours of Afghanistan. Serna earned two Purple Heart medals during his deployments. During their night in jail, the two talked about their families and experiences and shared a meal. The next morning, Serna promised the judge that there would be “no more mess-ups,” CBS reported.

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