Charles A. Graner, Jr.

Specialist Charles A. Graner, Jr. has been charged with "alleging conspiracy to maltreat detainees; dereliction of duty for willfully failing to protect detainees from abuse, cruelty and maltreatment; maltreatment of detainees; assaulting detainees; committing indecent acts; adultery; and obstruction of justice." May 14, 2004[1]

Dennis Cauchon, writing for USA Today (published in the May 14, 2004, Army Times), says that "Alleged abuse ringleader (Graner) had history of stateside problems."

Cauchon reports that Graner "repeatedly has faced allegations of violence and psychological abuse in his personal life and at his job as a Pennsylvania prison guard.

"The complaints about Graner in Pennsylvania never led to a conviction, but some were similar to what he's now accused of doing in Iraq: beating prisoners, taunting Muslim inmates and not following orders.

"Graner, 35, was charged Friday with cruelty, maltreatment and willfully failing to protect prisoners from abuse at Abu Ghraib. The charges have cast the Army reservist from Uniontown, Pa., as a key figure in the abuse scandal that has embarrassed the United States."

"Graner's attorney, Guy Womack, says Graner's work history and the allegations of domestic violence cannot be considered in the upcoming military court-martial. 'He is a very good guy,' Womack says.

"At Abu Ghraib, Graner is accused of hitting prisoners, including one who was knocked unconscious. He ordered some Iraqis to strip, forced them to masturbate and stacked them naked for photos, other soldiers told investigators.

"'He was joking, laughing, like he was enjoying it,' Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits told investigators, according to court papers. Sivits goes to trial on Wednesday; he is cooperating with prosecutors and has told them in a statement that Graner played a lead role in the abuse.

"Sgt. Javal S. Davis, another reservist charged with abuse, told Army investigators that 'the soldier in charge of 1A (the cell block where the abuse occurred) was Cpl. Graner.' Graner's name and rank are given incorrectly in the Army report.

"Womack, Graner's attorney, has said that he will argue that Graner's treatment of prisoners came at the direction of military intelligence agents who were at Abu Ghraib to perform interrogations."

"At some point, Graner and Pfc. Lynndie R. England, another reservist charged with abuse, began a relationship. England has said that she is pregnant; her family and friends have said that Graner is the father.

"The relationship with England, 21, led the Army to tack on another charge against Graner: adultery."

Also see Abu Ghraib: Charges Against Military Personnel