U.S. Commander of Iraqi Prison Charged With Aiding the Enemy

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 09:04:25 AM EST
Tags: detainee abuse (all tags)

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Lt. Col. William Steele, Commander of the 451st Police Detachment Unit at Camp Cropper, located at the Baghdad airport, which houses some of Saddam Hussein's top deputies, has been charged with aiding the enemy, having improper sexual relations with a translator and a detainee's daughter and possessing pornographic videos.

The aiding the enemy charge stems partially from allegations he provided unmonitored cell phones to detainees. In all there are nine charges:

The other charges included unauthorized possession of classified information, fraternizing with the daughter of a detainee, maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an interpreter, storing classified information in his quarters and possessing pornographic videos, the military said. Steele also was charged with improperly marking classified information, failing to obey an order and failing to fulfill his obligations in the expenditure of funds, the military said.

Steele is being held in Kuwait pending an Article 32 hearing. The 451st Police Detachment Unit is based in Inkster, MI (pdf).

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U.S. Commander of Iraqi Prison Charged With Aiding the Enemy | 18 comments (18 topical)

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The (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by ding7777 on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 10:11:53 AM EST

pornographic videos are probably just interrogation sessions

He's a Lt. Col., not a Lieutenant (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by MarkBernstein on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 11:27:14 AM EST

I believe the officer being detained is a Lieutenant Colonel (that is, a very senior officer two rungs below General), not a Lieutenant (a very junior officer)

: thanks, I'll correct both (none / 0) (#10)
by Jeralyn on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 08:06:59 PM EST

his name and rank. Much appreciated.

Stockholm syndrome (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Repack Rider on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 07:06:47 PM EST

The officer probably began to empathize with people who had not done anything worthy of being stuck in a place where they could not leave.

He something in common with the prisoners.

He's in just a wee bit of trouble (none / 0) (#2)
by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 11:15:39 AM EST

just (none / 0) (#8)
by Jen M on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 03:10:47 PM EST

a smidge.

Can you say "example"?

And what will the military consider is the worst crime? The porn?


: If the daughter is a minor (none / 0) (#11)
by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 08:25:56 PM EST

that will be the biggest. Otherwise aiding the enemy puts the mission at risk and other soldiers under his command which is a HUGE FAUX PAS with the unmonitored cell phone use. As a Lt. Col.